Spotlight on Buddha's message at Dalit convention

Staff Correspondent

MAKING A RESOLVE: A Dalit convention on equality was organised at the Maharaja's College Grounds in Mysore on Sunday. — PHOTO: M A SRIRAM

MYSORE: A large number of Dalits participated in a convention on equality in Mysore on Sunday and resolved to spread the message of Buddha.

At the convention titled "Buddhanedege Marali Manege," leaders and youth of the Dalit community from across the State adopted a resolution to take up a door-to-door campaign on spreading the principles of Buddha.

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President M. Mallikarjun Kharge; the former Union Minister V. Srinivas Prasad, the former Ministers G. Parameshwar and H.C. Mahadevappa, and writer Devanur Mahadev were among those present on the occasion.

Tableau

A tableau flagged off from Bangalore, carrying the portrait of Buddha in meditation, arrived at the venue before the convention began. It was kept on the stage.

The convention was organised by the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Research and Extension Centre of Mysore University and the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Dhamma Deekshe Golden Jubilee Committee. It provided a platform for holding deliberations on Buddha and B.R. Ambedkar. It was organised to mark the 50 years of Dr. Ambedkar embracing Buddhism as a mark of protest against casteism.

The gathering adopted a resolution to condemn the social boycott, caste atrocities and exploitation of Dalits. Although 60 years had passed since India attained freedom , social evils had not been eliminated, it was observed.

Kharge among 8 selected for doctorate

GULBARGA, Feb 15, DHNS:

Union Labour and Employment Minister and veteran Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge and Deputy Director General of Doordarshan Kendra, Bangalore Mahesh Joshi, are among the eight persons selected for the honorary doctorate by the Gulbarga University.

It will be bestowed upon them at the 29th annual convocation of the university to be held here on February 17, Thursday. While Kharge has been selected for his distinguished statesmanship, education and community service Mahesh Joshi will get the doctorate for his yeoman service in the field of electronic visual medium. Others selected  The others who have been selected for the coveted honour include former MP and former state BJP president Basavaraj Patil Sedam (education and social service), Shankaragouda Bettadur (fine arts), FKCCI president S S Patil (industry and commerce), G B Sajjan (literature),  Sant Tapaswi Sri Ramarao Maharaj, Pohradevi, Maharashtra (spiritualism and social service),  and Dhyanraj Manik Prabhu of Manik Samsthan, Humnabad (education and social service). Highest number This is said to be the highest number of eminent personalities being conferred with the coveted honour of the university.

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/138143/kharge-among-8-selected-doctorate.html

Varsity confers honorary doctorate on Kharge

Gulbarga (Kar), Feb 17 (PTI)

Union Labour and Employment Minister M Mallikarjun Kharge was among eight persons conferred honorary doctorates by Gulbarga University today.

The doctorates were presented at its convocation held here.Others who were honoured were BJP leader and educationist Basavaraj Patil Sedam, Deputy Director of Bangalore Doordarshan Kendra Mahesh Joshi and industrialist S S Patil.Director of ISRO Satellite Centre, Dr T K Alex delivered the convocation address.

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/138641/varsity-confers-honorary-doctorate-kharge.html

Dalit Federation to fete Kharge, Parameshwar

Mysore, Feb 17, DHNS:

The Federation of Dalith Associations have organised a programme to felicitate Union Labour Minister Mallikarjuna Kharge and president of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee G Parameshwar at Kalamandira on Feb 19, said former deputy mayor Siddaraju here on Thursday.

Addressing a press conference, he said Union Minister Mallikarjuna Kharge would be visiting the city on Feb 19 and lay foundation stone for the ESI hospital in Rajivanagar. Kharge and Parameshwar would be given a rousing reception at the Tollgate at 10.30 am. The two leaders would attend the felicitation programme organised at 12.30 pm at Kalamandir. They would also participate in a programme to honour Vice-Chancellor V G Talawar at a programme to be hosted by Mysore University SC/ST Employees Association. The Union Minister would also pay visit to the Budha Vihara Stupa near Ashoka circle. Opposition leader Siddaramaiah, MPs Adaguru H Vishwanath, R Dhruvanarayan, former minister Narendra Swamy, MLAs V Srinivasa Prasad, Dr H C Mahadevappa, Tanveer Sait, H P Manjunath, G N Nanjundaswamy, M Satyanarayana, K Venkatesh, Chikkanna and Puttaranga Shetty will be present.

Kharge, Parameshwar feted in City

Mysore, February 19, DHNS:

Union Minister of Labour and Employment Mallikarjuna Kharge and President of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) Dr G Parameshwara were felicitated at a programme organised by the Federation of Dalit Associations at Kalamandir here on Saturday.

Amidst the rousing reception to the two leaders, a packed audience at the Kalamandir, including pourakarmikas were witness to the grand felicitation ceremony. In his address, Kharge assured the pourakarmikas to bring in a strong legal framework to protect their interest. “We have constituted a five-member committee to look into the grievances of safai karmacharis and recommend to the Government the minimum wage for pourakarmikas and other benefits. The people who are responsible for maintaining hygiene and cleanliness of a city is neglected for long time,” he said. He also regretted that the state governments have little interest to implement the Contract Labour Abolition Act enacted by the central government. The states have a greater responsibility in ensuring the interest of labourers and employees working in the organised sector. The Contract Labour Abolition Act bans any companies from employing on contract basis. There is a conspiracy among few companies and firms to keep the employees on contract, the Minister opined. On the occasion, G Parameshwar, KPCC President said Kharge’s political journey was a role model for every politician. “His political career is rid of controversies and any black spot. The senior leader’s clean image has helped him remain undefeated in the assembly elections for nine successive tenures,” Parameshwar said. MLA and former union minister also echoed similar opinion and said a Kharge should occupy the highest executive post, the chief ministers post in state. MP Vishwanath, Opposition leader Siddaramaiah, MLAs H C Mahadevappa, H P Manjunath, City Congress president Dasegowda, district congress president Dharmasena, former minister P M Narendraswamy were present.