BCWD and ZP Commemorate 101st Birth Anniversary of Devaraj Urs
Mangaluru: The 101 birth anniversary of former CM of Karnataka D Devaraj Urs was Commemorated at the Netravati Hall, Zilla Panchayat premises here on August 20.
The programme began with the State Anthem. The District officer of Backward Class Welfare Department Jayanna H welcomed the gathering and delivered the keynote address.
District minister in-charge B Ramanath Rai inaugurated the programme by lighting the traditional lamp along with other dignitaries on the dais. Later Ramanath Rai garlanded the portrait of D Devaraj Urs and showered flower petals.
Addressing the gathering, Ramanath Rai said that D Devaraj Urs served as the Chief Minister of Karnataka for two separate terms. “During his tenure as the CM, he implemented the “Elimination of poverty” agenda. He worked for the welfare of the backward class.
He further said that the land reforms were also introduced according to which the tiller or the farmer became the owner of a land. These land reforms were especially applauded as they were instrumental in eliminating the Zamindar system. They afforded self-respect and a sense of dignity to the farmers who were hitherto treated as bonded labour. Devaraj Urs was the voice of the poor and stood for the cause of the downtrodden in the society. He introduced many reforms targeting the depressed classes of the scheduled castes and the other backward class.
Rai further said “There are many people who insult freedom fighters like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Devaraj Urs but whoever insults such great persons are traitors. Then there are the rumour mongers who also defame our great leaders, they are the Nations enemies”.
Cash prizes were distributed to the students from the backward communities for excelling in their academics. Chief Whip Ivan D’Souza, MLA J R Lobo, MLA Moideen Bava, Chairman of MUDA Kodijal Ibrahim, ADC Kumar, ZP CEO Shreevidya and Vice president of ZP Kasturi Panja were also present.