Moodbidri, March 15: A country can develop only when people develop the feeling of commitment and dedication, said Jain Mutt seer Sri Bhattaraka Charukeerthi Pandithacharya.

Speaking at the Navodaya Chaithanya samavesha organised by the Navodaya Grama Vikasa Charitable Trust, at Swarajya Maidan here on Friday, he said dedication and commitment were reason for the development of America, Japan and Singapore.
Everyone should develop the feeling of commitment for the overall development of India.

"We human beings have obligations in life. To become free from these obligations, we need to go closer to the God." The property we gain in life may get destroyed. But the divine wealth remains forever. The wealth should be part of our selfless deeds.

State Co-operative Apex Bank Chairman M N Rajendra Kumar said even after 60 years of independence, weaker sections of the society are still deprived of basic facilities. Social justice has remained only in paper and not come into practice in real sense.

Weaker sections of the people can progress only when they are economically empowered, he added.

Mahalakshmi pooja

To instill religious fervour among the SHG members, mass Mahalakshmi pooja was held on the occasion.  The pooja was attended by 109 women and was held under the guidance of Sri Mahaligeshwara Temple Dharmadarshi Vedamurthy Eshwar Bhat.

Earlier, a colourful procession marked the event. This included tableux, 'kombu,' 'chende,' 'panchavadya,''bhajan,' 'kangeelu dance,' 'kolata,' 'dollukunitha,' folk dolls and uniform clad women. Navodaya Sauharda Sahakari Society President Hemalatha Jain flagged off the procession. The procession which started from Dhavala College passed through thousand pillar basadi, Hanuman mandira, Market road  and culminated at Swarajya maidan.

Stalls

On either sides of the Swarajya Maidan entrance, there were exhibition-cum sale of products produced by the Navodaya Self Help Groups.

More than 20,000 SHG members from eight districts participated in the convention.

Apex Bank Managing Director M C Muniyappa, Chowtara Aramane's M Sunil Keerthi, Entrepreneur Narayana P M, Dakshina Kannada Co-operative Society Manager C R Palangappa, District Central Co-operative Bank Managing Director P Narayana Kamath and others were present.

Hindu