Mangaluru: Union Minister for Railways Suresh Prabhu on Thursday said the country is facing several challenges and the government is making able efforts to solve these challenges.

He was speaking at the Abhivandana Diwas programme held on the occasion of ‘Suvarna Chaturmasa’, the 50th Chaturmasya Vrata of Parthagali Gokarna Mutt seer Vidyadhiraj Theerth Sri Pad Vader Swamiji at the mutt premises on Car Street here.

Prabhu said the country is being affected by poverty and the Union government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is making various efforts to provide a life of dignity to people.

Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Dr D Veerendra Heggade recalled his association with the mutt and said the senior seer of the mutt graced the consecration of Gommateshwara statue at Dharmasthala.

Heggade said the guidance by an able guru is important to excel in life. He called upon people to have a balanced mindset in all spheres of life. Minister for Large Industries R V Deshpande called upon youths to cultivate leadership qualities.

Prabhu, Deshpande, Century Group, Bangalore, Managing Director Dr P Dayananda Pai, Union Minister for Ayush and Minister of Health Sripad Naik and Veerendra Heggade were felicitated with GSB Maharathna, GSB Rathna Puraskar, GSB Maharathna Puraskar, Samaj Rathna Award and Samaj Maharathna Puraskar respectively.

Dempo Group Chairman Srinivas Dempo and Salgoankar Group Chairman Shivananda Salgaonkar were felicitated with GSB Udyog Ratna Puraskar.

Dr P Dayanand Pai presented 400 gram gold to the seer. A special postage cover issued by the department of posts to commemorate Suvarna Chaturmasa of the seer was released on the occasion. Karnataka Circle Chief Postmaster General Usha Chandrashekhar was present on the occasion.