Sevakendras should become social awakening centres

Nashik, May 21 (UNI) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil today said the 'Swami Samartha Seva Kendras' spread all over the state should become centres to raise social awareness.

Addressing the national meet of Swami Samartha devotees, organised as part of the ''Kotichandi Yadnya'' ceremony at Nanduri at the feet of Saptashringi Gadh, 70 km from here, Patil said ''Today, the enemy is not attacking from the borders but from inside also, by alluring the young generation towards drugs. 3,500 murders take place every year in the state and four women face atrocities each day. All this will not be controlled by increasing the number of police personnel or courts''.

''Earlier, in-laws and husbands used to kill women, nowadays parents themselves kill the girl child. To prevent all this, social awareness is necessary and the Swami Samartha Kendras should become social awakening centres'', he said.

This power of 'Adhyatma', devotion should stand behind the government, society and the thought should reach the county. For this social awakening, the distance between castes, religions, rich and poor should be minimised, Patil said.

Patil said it was a surprise that so many people gather for a social cause for the well-being of humanity. He promised all cooperation to the cause and efforts of the Swami Samartha Kendras in this direction.

State PWD Minister and Guardian Minister of the district Chhagan Bhujbal were among those present on the occasion.

More than five lakh devotees thronged the gathering. As part of the 'Kotichandi Mahayag', organised by the Swami Samarth Kendras, Dindori, this was the fourth such function. Earlier such meets were held at Tulajapur, Kolhapur and Mahur. The movement has support of more than a crore followers spread all across the nation and abroad.

It runs Balsanskar Kendras, Vivah Kendras, agricultural centers, self employment divisions etc.

Commerce Minister Harshvardhan Patil said he was addressing the gathering as a 'sevakari' and devotee of Gurumanle Anna Saheb More and added that the movement will acquire a nation-wide form, as the convention will be held in Kolkata, Guwahati, Vaishno Devi, Kanyakumari and other shakti peethas outside the state and at Shivaji Park at Mumbai. He emphasised that the movement was to foster peace among people and prevent calamities that effect humanity.

Agriculture Minister Balasaheb Thorat called it as an 'unforgettable moment of his life' and said that agricultural meets organised by kendra serves the purpose of creating awareness about farming methods, especially organic farming.

Guardian Minister Chhagan Bhujbal said people had gathered here by spending their own money to get an insight from their 'guru' to fight against difficulty.

In his speech, Gurumauli Annasaheb More took stock of the work at the movement. He said that good nurturing will help the 'culture' to survive and the kendras were here to create 'good human beings' and also help solving social problems and alleviate social evils.

UNI