Mangaluru: “Narayana Guru has played a major role to bring the change in the society,” said district in-charge Minister Ramanath Rai.

He was addressing the gathering at Brahmashree Narayana Guru Jayanti programme organised by district administration, ZP and Kannada and culture department, on Friday at Shree Gokarnanatheshwata temple.

“Narayana Guru gave importance to education. He also worked hard to develop untouchables. I am attracted towards his principle,” he said.

He further said that the government has introduced a new scheme to provide Rs 1500 every month to those students who haven’t got hostels. More than two lakhs of students have availed this facility.

Speaking on the occasion veteran folk expert Dr Amin Sankamar said that Narayana Guru was born in1854 and he built he separate temple for the sake of untouchables in 1888.

“Celebrating his birth anniversary in the government level is a welcoming development. By implementing this, the government has shows its concern towards the backward caste people,” he added.

MLA J R Lobo, Mohiudhin Bava, Mayor Harinath, DC K G Jagadeesh, Commissioner Chandra Sekhar and others were present.