Mysuru: Chief Minister Siddharamaiah unveiled Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa statue at a Circle in Ramakrishnanagar yesterday. The statue and the Circle has been developed at a cost of Rs.5 crore. Speaking on the occasion, Siddharamaiah said that Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa’s statue has been installed at a public place for the first time in the country.

Pointing out that Paramahamsa, who was born in West Bengal, practised spiritualism throughout his life, the CM said that Paramahamsa was prominent among those who rejuvenated Hindu religion.

Noting that India is a multi-cultural country, home to many religions such as Hindu, Christian, Jain, Sikh, Islam etc., the CM said that the country should live in peace and harmony as advocated by great leaders and spiritual gurus.

Observing that Kuvempu drew great inspiration from Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, the CM said that like Kuvempu, everyone should draw inspiration from the great spiritual leader.

Maintaining that his government was committed to conserving heritage structures, he said that MUDA has built the circle and the statue at a cost of Rs.5 crore.

Stating that this was the first public place where Ramakrishna Paramahamsa’s statue has been installed, Siddharamaiah said that Dharma should not be defined by one according to his/her’s fancy and it was important to follow Paramahamsa’s preachings.

Claiming that he batted for Paramahamsa’s statue at the Circle, while some were for installation of Kanakadasa statue, the CM complimented MUDA Chairman and Commissioner and the local MLA who strived for the installation of the statue.

District Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa, Mysuru Ramakrishna Ashrama’s Athmajnanandaji, Mangaluru Ramakrishna Mutt’s Jitakamanandaji, MLAs G.T. Devegowda, M.K. Somashekar and Vasu, MUDA Chairman D. Dhruvakumar, Mayor B. Bhagyavathi, ZAK Chairperson Mallige Veeresh, MLC R. Dharmasena and others were present.