TUMAKURU (KTK): The Narendra Modi-led government is treading on the path shown by the late Shivakumara Swamiji of Siddaganga Mutt here by implementing 'Trividha Dasoha' (three-pronged commensality) offering free food, education and shelter, Union Minister for Home and Cooperation Amit Shah said on Friday.
Hailing the services of the pontiff, who passed away in 2019 at the age of 111 after serving the Lingayat Mutt for 88 years, Shah said feeding 10,000 children everyday, imparting free education to them and giving them shelter could be achieved by a 'Karma Yogi', which the Swamiji was.
The pontiff implemented the preaching of 12th century social reformer Basaveshwara on ground and turned the Mutt into a centre for elevating people, Shah said while participating in the 115th birth anniversary of Shivakumara Swamiji.
"No one in this Mutt goes hungry. Everyday 10,000 children from every section of the society get food, education and shelter," the Home Minister noted.
"The BJP government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Centre has implemented the principles of Shivakumara Swamiji on ground. We are giving five kg rice, given a new dimension to education through the new National Education Policy where anyone can get technical and medical education in their own language and gave roof to three crore people in seven years," Shah said.
He also said that during the COVID-19 pandemic, 80 crore people were given free meals. The Home Minister said the Centre is striving hard to ensure that every section of the society makes progress.
Shah said India is an ancient nation where many pilgrim centres came up based on their geographical locations and the quality.
However, new pilgrim centres too came up due to the good work of some saints and one such centre is Siddaganga Mutt where Shivakumara Swamiji had implemented the preaching of Basaveshwara on ground, the Home Minister explained.
"When a person spends his life to perform his sacred duties in the interest of society and God, an aura around him attracts many to tread on his path and makes others religious. The seer who lived for 111 years had such an aura around him that he would guide many for the coming centuries," Shah said.
Quoting former Prime Minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee who had said 'Ganga in the North and Siddaganga in the South', Shah said taking a holy dip in the Ganga absolves sins of many past lives whereas visiting Siddaganga paves way for leading a virtuous life.
He also pointed out that the Mutt in the last 600 years, ever since it came into existence, has been a centre to implement the teachings of Basaveshwara.
The present pontiff of the Mutt, Siddalinga Swamiji, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi, Bhagwant Khuba, state Ministers including Araga Jnanendra and former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa were among those who attended the event.