Mysuru: Union Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu has said that Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji of Avadhoota Datta Peetham was committed to build a casteless society on the ethos of equality, peace and love.
He was speaking after taking part in the eight-day Vajrotsava to mark the 75th birthday celebrations of Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji at Nada Mantapa of Sri Avadhoota Datta Peetham on Ooty road here last evening.
Pointing out that Sri Swamiji is an asset to the country and to the western world for preaching universal brotherhood, spiritually and helping people find solace, Naidu said the Seer is working towards bringing in unity and make people rise above religion and caste.
Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Urban Development, Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation M. Venkaiah Naidu (fifth from right) is seen releasing the Vajrotsava souvenir to mark the 75th birthday celebrations of Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji (centre) at Nada Mantapa here last evening. Others seen are (from left) MLAs Vasu and M.K. Somashekar, Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji, Puttige Seer Sri Sugunendra Teertha Swamiji, Suttur Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji, District Minister Dr.H.C. Mahadevappa, Large Scale Industries Minister R.V. Deshpande, Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha and MLA G.T. Devegowda.
Commending the Sri Swamiji for reviving culture, promoting music therapy, ayurveda, yoga and also for penning 2,000 songs in many languages and composing keerthanas, the Union Minister said Sri Swamiji was striving to save the youths from being influenced by western world.
Venkaiah Naidu, who began his speech in Kannada seeking forgiveness for being unable to speak in Kannada, said that although he could understand Kannada, he was unable to speak the language.
Noting that expressing oneself is more important than the language of communication, Naidu delivered his speech in a mix of Kannada, Telugu, Hindi and English languages.
PM Modi recalls his visit to Ashrama
On the occasion, Venkaiah Naidu read out a message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who recalled his visit to the Ashrama in January 2016 and greeted the Seer on his birthday.
District Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa, who also spoke, said India will be looked down upon at international forums as long as social evils like untouchability and discrimination continue. The Minister lauded the commitment of Ganapathy Swamiji to end untouchability.
Large Scale Industries Minister R.V. Deshpande regretted the deterioration of values in society.Noting that the Swamiji is a secular minded Seer whose mantra is to take everyone together, the Minister highlighted the need for the Swamiji’s guidance in building a better society.
Suttur Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji, who graced the occasion, said the Swamiji started the Ashrama in Mysuru to spread the message of truth and spiritualism. Noting that the Swamiji has a large following across the globe, the Suttur Seer said the Swamiji had won the hearts of the people with his message of peace, happiness and brotherhood.
MP Pratap Simha said it was wrong to say that the caste system exists only in India. Maintaining that discrimination based on vocational practices existed in almost all religions, the MP said that our saints must be credited for taking our society in the right path. He said that one should be proud of being born in India, which is a very tolerant and multi-cultural country.
MLAs Vasu, M.K. Somashekar and G.T. Devegowda too spoke on the occasion. Puttige Mutt Seer Sri Sugunendra Teertha Swamiji, Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji, former Minister S.A. Ramdas and others were present.
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