Mangaluru : District administration, D.K Zilla Panchayath, Kannada and Culture Depatment and Coastal Kuruba community jointly celebrated 527th birth anniversary of saint Kanakadasa, at Nethravathi auditorium of Zilla Panchayat here on Saturday, Nov 8.

Minister for Forest, Environment and Ecology B Ramanath Raiinaugurated the birth anniversary celebration.

Speaking after inaugurating the birth anniversary celebration of saint Kanakadasa, at Nethravathi auditorium of Zilla Panchayat, Minister for Forest, Environment and Ecology B Ramanath Rai said that though the number of Kuruba community people are less in the district, it is one of the important backward community of the State. The community has come through a lot of struggle in the past. So, it is time to implement development works sincerely for their upliftment, he said.

Kanaka Jayanthi celebration is not limited to one particular community, but it is a moment to recall how much we have succeeded in forming a society without exploitation, by learning lessons from history Rai said.

“When we come through a social change, naturally there will be some opposition from individuals or few class of society. We should not lose hope and continue with our work for good cause. Saint Kanakadasa has showed that God treats human beings as equal. A common man can also reach God with his knowledge and pure love,” he said.

Presiding over the programme, MLA J R Lobo said that Kanaka Jayanthi is a day to remember the messages of Kanakadasa.

His love towards motherland and his spiritual life are relevant even today. “Breaking the barriers of caste and community, we have to follow the messages of great saint. By becoming his disciples, we can retain his values to the coming generations.
Kanaka Study Chair of Mangalore University should be used efficiently,” he said.

A procession of portrait of Kanakadasa was taken out from Sharada Mantapa at Urwa Store to the Nethravathi auditorium. Mayor Mahabala Marla inaugurated the procession. Chethana Mattu Balaga (Moodabidri), Rajesh Kudva (Barke) and Karavali Kurubara Sangha (Mangalore) troupes had participated in the procession.

Theerthahalli Tunga Mahavidyalaya Kannada Professor Dr B Ganapati delivered special lecture on the messages of Kanakadasa.

MLA Mohiuddin Bava, MLC Ivan D’Souza, Zilla Panchayat Vice President Satish Kumpala, CEO Tulasi Maddineni, Additional Deputy Commissioner Sadashiva Prabhu, SP Dr Sharanappa, Kannada and Culture Department Assistant Director Chandrahas B Rai, Karnataka Pradeshika Kurubara Sangha Director H Prasanna Kumar, Karavali Kurubara Sangha President Shivananda Jharajhari were present among others.