"Karnataka Ratna" conferred on Shivakumaraswmy of Siddaganga Mutt

Bangalore, Apr 1 (UNI) Nonagenarian Swamiji Shivakumaraswamy of Siddaganga Mutt was today honoured with 'Karnataka Ratna', the highest State honour, by the Karnataka Government.

Speaking after presenting the award, Chief Minister Mr Kumarswamy said he was inspired by the life of Swamiji Shivakumaraswamy.

Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, who also holds Finance portfolio, has recognised the role played by the Swamiji by allotting more funds to the religious institutions in the Budget.

Mr Yediyurappa, in his address, urged the Union government to confer a Bharat Ratna on Swamiji Shivakumarswamy in recognition of his contribution to Education field since last six decades.

He lauded Swamiji for his mission to revive the Sharana tradition of 12th century by bringing education to the poor children at the mass level.

He said Rs 10 Crore has been allocated in the budget for construction of building ''Dasoha Bhavan'' in the Swamiji's Ashrama where free education and free food was given to about 10,000 students for the past decades.

Earlier recipients of the 'Karnataka Ratna' awarded include renowned Kannada Poet Rashtrakavi late K V Puttappa, Kannada actor late Rajakumar, Scientist C N R Rao and Pandit Bhimsen Joshi.

UNI