Donations of equipment, vehicle, chairs to children mark celebrations

Mysore/Mysuru: Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji’s 81st birthday festivities were held yesterday at Nada Mantapa of Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Ashrama in Dattanagar in city yesterday under the auspices of Sri Avadhoota Datta Peetha.

On the occasion,  a host of donation programmes were conducted by the Ashrama and the event was graced by Social Welfare Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa, who extended his wishes to the Swamiji and praised his dedicated service to humanity. Junior Pontiff Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji was also present.

The Minister specifically highlighted Swamiji’s assistance to those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as his consistent donations to underprivileged and disabled children. “Wherever there is a natural calamity and a human tragedy, the Swamiji always helped generously and has been a role model for spiritual leaders,” he said.

Dr. Mahadevappa conveyed his well wishes to the seer and the devotees and emphasised that saints exist not for themselves but for the betterment of society and he regarded the life of Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji as a testament  to this principle.

He highlighted that the Datta Peetha not only served as a centre for Vedic studies but also combined modern science with the therapeutic potential of music to heal diseases.

During the celebration, Swamiji generously donated a Mahindra Supro school van worth Rs. 10 lakh to Madilu Seva Trust, an  NGO. This NGO is actively involved in the upliftment of tribal children at Government Higher Primary School at Sonahalli, H.D. Kote Taluk, Mysuru District.

The van will be utilised to transport tribal children from their ‘haadis’ to the school.

The symbolic handing over of the van’s keys took place with the presence of Minister Mahadevappa and Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji, who handed them over to C.K. Muralidharan, Chairperson of Madilu Seva Trust. Arasu Madilu, Founder Trustee of Madilu Seva Trust.  Amulya Rao and Ashok Kapoor, advisors of the NGO, were also present.

In addition, donations were made to individuals recommended by the Department of Empowerment of the Differently Abled and Senior Citizens of the Karnataka Government. These included special chairs for 25 children, standing frames for 13 children, a rotator walker for 6 children, rexine beds for two adults, educational toys for 30 children, and foldable adjustable walkers for five senior citizens.

The Swamiji presented gold medals to those children who had memorised 700 ‘shlokas’ of Sriman Bhagavad Gita and described the Gita as a gift to humanity to protect itself from all kinds of evils. “The Gita acts as a shield, enabling people to lead a fulfilling life,” Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji said.