Mangaluru: Coastal Karnataka remembered Sri Narayana Guru on the occasion of his 171st birth anniversary on Sunday. Programmes commemorating his visions were held at various places across Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.Mangaluru City South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath paid floral tributes to the statue of Sri Narayana Guru at Brahmasri Narayana Guru Circle, at a programme organised by the BJP Backward Classes Morcha. Kamath said that the revered saint was a great reformer who worked tirelessly for the upliftment of all, including the backward classes. Born in Kerala, he awakened the Hindu community against the prevailing disorder there. During the previous BJP govt, a circle in the name of Sri Narayana Guru was established in Mangaluru in his honour, he said. The MLA urged the govt to immediately allocate at least Rs 500 crore annually to the Narayana Guru Development Corporation to empower the community economically.Guru’s ideals guiding light: MLABy delivering the message of one caste, one religion, and one God, and erasing caste and religious disparities, Brahmasri Narayana Guru inspired the voiceless, empowered the weak with self-confidence, and encouraged a life of dignity. His ideal life is a model for all, said Kaup MLA Gurme Suresh Shetty. He spoke at the birth anniversary celebration of Sri Narayana Guru, organised by the Udupi district administration, zilla panchayat, and the department of Kannada and culture, in Udupi, on Sunday.“Figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore met Guru and received blessings and guidance for creating an equal society. We too must realise his dream by following his ideals and principles,” he said. “At a time when temple entry was denied, Narayana Guru himself consecrated Shiva at Kudroli, granting temple access to the oppressed and marginalised,” he said.DC Swaroopa TK said celebrating Guru’s birth anniversary with enthusiasm like a festival and spreading his life messages to people is commendable.
