Mysuru: District Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa performed bhoomi puja for the installation of Maharshi Valmiki Statue in front of the new DC Office on Bannur Road here yesterday.

Speaking on the occasion,he said the Government has released Rs. 1.5 crore for the construction of Statue. Nayaka community had proposed to install the Statue in front of the Taluk Office at Nazarbad but it could not be done because of a Supreme Court ruling and an alternative place was suggested.

“Valmiki community agreed to the space identified by the Deputy Commissioner. A Valmiki Statue measuring 5 ft. in height will come up at this spot in front of DC Office, for which the Chief Minister has released Rs.1.5 crore. Valmiki does not belong to one community and great personalities like Buddha, Basavanna, Valmiki and Dr. Ambedkar should not be restricted to one particular community. Valmiki is amongst the earliest poets of the entire mankind. Valmiki’s ideals and principles should be followed by everyone. Ramayana is the biggest and greatest epic of the world. It is not just an epic meant for performing puja. It is a leading light of development and change,” the Minister said adding that more funds will be granted for the Statue if needed.

MLA Tanveer Sait, in his address, said that it has been planned to construct a Samudaya Bhavan in a 2-acre area in Huliyamma temple premises at Kyatamaranahalli. With this, the dreams of the community is  getting realised, he added.