Belthangadi: A state-level (34th) exhibition was held in Dharmasthala on Sunday (Nov 20), as part of annual Laksha Deepotsava on the first day, with as many as 173 stalls in show, inaugurated by DK-DC, Dr. N.S. Chinnappa Gowda. He prayed for all citizens to be worthy citizens of India, and seek Lord’s guidance all through one’s life, as a perennial need to pave way for the formation of a noble society.

Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade hailed the social service attempts  made by many institutions run by temples and prayer centres, to mitigate commercialisation of basic/elementary education.

Dr. Gowda noted the splendid work done by ‘Siri’, a self-employment scheme of poor women, to be Self-reliant economically in DK.

New product of Siri, ‘cornflakes’, ‘Atta’ (powder), ‘Vatsalya’ a tonic for mothers, followed.

Dr. D.Veerendra Heggade presided. He spoke on rural industries facing unequal competition from Malls/Super Bazaars. Farmers could now raise the quality of their produce, he urged. Panduranga Baliga welcomed. Director of RUDSET, M K S Prabhu, proposed vote of thanks.