Tumakuru: Sri Shivakumara Swamiji, popularly known as ‘Nadedaduva Devaru’ or the ‘Walking God,’ was laid to rest at Siddaganga Mutt in Tumakuru with full State honours last evening. The Pontiff passed away on Monday after a prolonged illness.
During the funeral procession, lakhs of devotees and delegates, including Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy (HDK) and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, paid tributes to the late Seer, who died at the age of 111.
The Karnataka Government had announced a three-day State mourning and a one-day holiday yesterday for all educational institutions and Government establishments as a mark of respect for the Seer, who was revered by millions.
At the funeral yesterday, Union Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and D.V. Sadananda Gowda represented the Centre. A wreath was also placed on the mortal remains of Shivakumara Swamiji on behalf of PM Modi.
Meanwhile, thousands of devotees and religious personalities thronged the Siddaganga Mutt yesterday and paid tribute to their spiritual leader. The South Western Railway operated special trains to Tumakuru for the purpose and the National Flag flew at half-staff at Government institutions across the State.
CM thanks Police Department
Meanwhile, CM H.D. Kumaraswamy thanked the Police Department for providing elaborate security during the funeral procession till the last rites of Sri Shivakumara Swamiji were performed.
Speaking after paying tributes with full State honours, CM Kumaraswamy thanked the devotees for co-operating with the Police during the public darshan till the last rites of the late Seer were performed.
Lauding the Police Department for their efforts in maintaining peace and providing security, the CM said that he would make all efforts to get the Auradkar Report implemented and added that the State Government would work for the welfare of Police.
Bharat Ratna for Swamiji: CM to meet President, PM With the demand to confer Bharat Ratna on Sri Shivakumara Swamiji gaining momentum, CM Kumaraswamy said that he would personally meet President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urge them to consider Sri Shivakumara Swamiji’s name to confer Bharat Ratna award posthumously.
He said that he had urged the then President of India late A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to confer the highest civilian award of the country to the late Seer when he (HDK) had become the CM for the first time which was not considered and hence he would meet the PM and the President soon in this regard.
Meanwhile, Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev said that by conferring Bharat Ratna posthumously on Sri Shivakumara Swamiji, the respect of the award would increase and questioned that if the award can be given to sportspersons, musicians and politicians, why cannot the highest civilian award of the country be given to Sri Shivakumara Swamiji?
“Bharat Ratna for Swamiji: CM to meet President, PM With the demand to confer Bharat Ratna on Sri Shivakumara Swamiji gaining momentum, CM Kumaraswamy said that he would personally meet President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urge them to consider Sri Shivakumara Swamiji’s name to confer Bharat Ratna award posthumously”
The late Swamiji was a spiritual leader, and some one who shunned materialistic world. These days Bharata Ratna is awarded to all and sundry, and in a few years time after Kohli has made enough money in cricket, he will get Bharata Ratna. Already less deserving like late MG Ramachandran was awarded a Bharata Ratna. The Swamiji should not be allowed to join this mob. He was a spiritual person-a saint who does not need this title to recognise what he did for the poor and deserving.
The best tribute for him is to open hostels around Karnataka supported by government money, where poor students can get free meal and their fees for education are paid for. A multi-speciality hospital where the poor are treated free, and where deserving patients are charged a very modest fee for medical treatment. The cost of healthcare which deters the poor from getting the medical treatment is a very big issue In Karnataka and the rest of India. This , I am sure the late Swamiji would have approved.
Kumaraswamy , since he became the CM had all the time in the world to approach PM Modi and the President to bestow Bharata Ratna to this Swamiji whose greatness has been well known. How good it would have been , if the Swamiji received the honour from the President in his Mutt while he was alive. Kumaraswamy and the elder Gowda, his father know that they need votes from the Lingayat community, and one cannot but assume that this is politics .
Siddu, too, had all the time in the world too, to establish Basavanna chair in Mysore university, but did so only when he realised, his Congress needs Lingayat community votes and hence sanctioned money for the chair just before the last state election.
What an unholy bunch these politicians are!