The district administrations of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi celebrated Maharshi Valmiki Jayanthi on Thursday wherein people’s representatives underlined the need for following the principles enshrined in the Ramayana.
Inaugurating the programme in Mangaluru, J.R. Lobo, MLA, said the message given by Valmiki is still relevant. He has conveyed that everyone in the world should be role models like Ram, Lakshman, and Sita.
There is no religious barrier to learn any religious book, there is no meaning in shedding blood in the name of religion, the MLA said.
Zilla panchayat vice-president Kasturi Panja, Mayor Kavitha Sanil, and others were present.
In Udupi, ZP vice-president Sheela Shetty said Valmiki is a pioneer among poets and sages the country has seen. A person, who was engaged in violence as a hunter, turned out to be a sage and later penned down the Ramayana, she said. Ramayana is followed not only in India, but in many other countries across the world for the values it preaches.
Everyone should tread the righteous path, Ms. Shetty said. Chetan Shetty Kovadi, vice-principal of B.B. Hegde First Grade College, Kundapura, delivered a special lecture on Valmiki. He said personalities in Ramayana do not represent any particular community, but become models because of their thoughts and values.
Superintendent of Police Sanjeev M. Patil said Rama and Ravana will be present in every human being and the true characters will come out depending on the situation. Those who control emotions will attain newer heights, he said.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Anuradha said Mahatma Gandhiji had dreamt of Rama Rajya. Parents should inculcate values of Ramayana among kids and bring up the future generation, the official said.