Mangalore, October 18: “We must stand up against forces who seek to destroy the sacred rituals and curb the secularity of our country, regardless of where they originate from,” said Sonia Gandhi, President of All India Congress Committee (AICC) on her first visit to the Shree Gokarnanatha Kshetra at Kudroli in Mangalore.
Inaugurating the centenary celebrations of the Kshetra and Mangaluru Dasara 2012, she said that our country was a model for the rest of the world for social equality and secularism. Although few forces threaten to curb its unity and diversity, it is our duty to collectively preserve the sacredness and secularity our country stands for. Nothing should be taken for granted, she said.
Terming Narayan Guru, who consecrated the temple, as a revolutionary leader, she said that he brought a dramatic revolution in the caste-ridden country. Many social reformers followed in his footsteps, and leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore and Jawaharlal Nehru came under his spell and sense of purpose. Over a century ago, he worked for the eradication of illiteracy and propagation of education, while his philosophy of social equality is significant even more so today, she said.
She said that we should resolve to rededicate ourselves for the causes he championed and ideals he stood for. “A place of great sanctity, the temple has been following his philosophy and is a visible symbol of social reform today by combatting social evils,” she said.
“My late husband came here (Kudroli temple) just three months before he was killed, hence my presence has a very special meaning to it,” she told the audience.
Presiding over the function, B Janardhana Poojary, former Union Minister, said that the country needed the services and sacrifices of the Gandhi family. “We will not forget your family or the service you have done. Your achievement and spirit of patriotism is an example for all,” he said.
Remembering the late Rajiv Gandhi, former Prime Minister, he said that it was difficult to get a leader of his stature. “He was known for his dedication to serve the poorest in the country. The message he had given that Bhakthi is the soul of India, still reverberates in our minds even if he's not here”, he said.
Ms Gandhi, draped in a maroon saree, unveiled the 18-foot tall centenary plague, and officially inaugurated the Kshetra Navaratri celebrations, also known as Mangalore Dasara, by handing over the flag to H S Sairam, President of Kshetra Development Committee.
Oscar Fernandes, General Secretary of AICC, G Parameshwar, President of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee, J P Narayana Swamy, President of Arya Ediga Sangha, Bangalore, Jaya C Suvarna, President of Rashtriya Billava Mahamandala and Chairman of Shree Gokarnanatha Kshetra Development Committee, Urmila Ramesh Kumar, co-chairperson of Kshetra Development Committee, and K P Nanjundi, President of Akila Karnataka Vishwakarma Mahasabha, Bangalore, were also present on the occasion.
Related:
Dasara festivities begin in Kudla
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