Mangaluru : The district administration organised Valmiki Jayanti programme at Zilla Panchayat Hall here on Tuesday, October 28.

District In-Charge Minister B Ramanath Rai inagurated the event by lighting the lamp.

Speaking at Valmiki Jayanti programme  the minister said that the government had constructed Valmiki Bhavans in almost all the districts, to represent Valmiki Nayaka community.

Though in Dakshina Kannada there is less population of Valmiki Nayaka community, efforts will be made to construct the Valmiki Bhavan, for their benefit and land towards this will be identified soon, he said.

Terming Sage Valmiki an icon of self-respect for the entire Valmiki Nayaka community, the minister said that the Valmiki Jayanti celebration marks social justice.

The minister recalled that recommendations by L G Havanoor Commission played a significant role in the progress of the community which was under exploitation. Though the community was known for ‘palegarike’ rule, in a due course of time, it was discriminated due to the less population.

The state government is committed to the development of Valmiki Nayaka community, he said and added that the community which comes under Scheduled Tribes is being provided with title deeds under the Forest Rights Act.

Mangalore University Kannada Professor Somanna felt, there was a need to provide hostel facilities to the students belonging to Valmiki community and more subsidies to the people of the community.

He further said that Ramayana is written in all Asian languages. Stating that Lord Rama and Valmiki are contemporaries, he opined that by following the values recommended by Ramayana, one can have a prosperous life.

Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim, Superintendent of Police Dr S D Sharanappa, MUDA Chairman Ibrahim Kodijal, Zilla Panchayat Deputy Secretary Umesh R, Social Welfare department Deputy Director Santosh Kumar, and district Valmiki Nayaka Association President Aleshappa were present.

Title deeds were distributed to beneficiaries on the occasion. Meritorious students from the community were felicitated on the occasion.