Don’t confine Valmiki to a particular caste: Basavaraj Horatti

DHARWAD: Pro-tem chairman of Karnataka Legislative Council Basavaraj Horatti flayed the tendency among people to confine a great personality to a particular caste and said these personalities belong to the entire society.
Speaking at a function organized by the district administration to celebrate Maharshi Valmiki Jayanti at Karnataka Vidyavardhaka Sangha Hall here on Wednesday, he said it was wrong to identify national icons like Buddha, Basavanna, Ambedkar and Valmiki by their castes.

“They aimed for the wellbeing of the entire society with a focus on the oppressed class and tried to eradicate evil practices. Maharshi Valmiki was an ordinary hunter and was transformed into a great epic writer as he wrote Ramayana which continues to be worshipped and respected by all,” Horatti said.

The pro-tem chairman advised people to emulate the ideals propagated by great personalities to lead a contented life. MP Pralhad Joshi said the values and morals discussed in Ramayana were all-time relevant.

Professor Krishna Nayak delivered a special lecture on the life and achievements of Maharshi Valmiki.

Dharwad ZP president Chaitra Shirur presided over the function. MLA Amrut Desai, deputy commissioner Deepa Cholan, Hubballi-Dharwad police commissioner M N Nagaraj and other officias were present.

Students belonging to the Valmiki community who scored high marks in SSLC and PU and other achievers were felicitated at the function.

A symposium on the life and works of Maharshi Valmiki was organized on Tuesday at Alur Venkatrao Bhavan.

Ramayana is one of the greatest epics: MLA

Maharshi Valmiki gave the Ramayana to the world and now the epic is considered as one of the greatest works, said Kundagol MLA C S Shivalli. Inaugurating a Valmiki Jayanti programme organized by the Hubballi taluk administration, taluk panchayat and social welfare department here on Wednesday, Shivalli said that being born in the hunters’ community, Valmiki emerged as a great sage. “He showcased human values and raised his voice in favor of the downtrodden,” he said.

Another MLA Prasad Abbayya said Ramayana has the power of converting the mind of its readers. “Valmiki need not be restricted to any particular community and should be remembered by one and all,” he added.

Prof Koujalagi delivered a lecture on the Ramayana. Tahsildar Shashidhar Madyal, taluk panchayat president Channavva Gorla, Valmiki community leaders F K Dalayat, Maruti Barker, Shivappa Pujar and others were present.

At Adarsh PU Science College, principal M K Belagali said, “Students should read the Ramayana as well as about Valmiki’s life to design their personality.” At KLES’ College of Commerce, principal S B Lakkannavar said Ramayana has been translated to many languages of the world and even foreign countries were learning from the teachings in the epic.