"Karnataka Ratna Award"
The prestigious "Karnataka Ratna" award for 2006 was conferred on His Holiness Sree Sree Dr. Swamiji in recognition of his yeoman services for promoting education in the State.
Praising the services rendered by His Holiness Sree Sree Swamiji for promoting education especially among the rural folk, Mr Kumaraswamy and Mr Yediyurappa observed that the seer deserved the "Bharat Ratna" award. Even though he had sacrificed everything in life, through his service he has made known how to love human beings. Describing the swamiji as a "tyagi" and also a "pavada purusha", the Chief Minister said by practicising "Anna Dasoha and Gnana Dasoha" he has followed the teachings of 12th century social reformer Basavanna. Earlier, the Chief Minister said that the swamiji had carved a niche for himself by providing free boarding, shelter and education to thousands of children from all sections of society. Over the past eight decades, the swamiji dedicated himself to the cause of the welfare of mankind. His simplicity, honesty and dedication towards total welfare had earned acclaim for the centenarian seer-turned saint, he said.
The chief minister stated that he had drawn inspiration for banning arrack and lottery from some Heads of Maths and Sree Swamiji is one of them. Mr Yediyurappa said that the swamjis in Karnataka had sown the seeds of education in the State well before the country gained independence.
In his address, the swamiji said that by announcing his name for the award, the government had put him in a dilemma. The swamiji lauded the State Budget for waiving farmers' loans, and banning arrack and lotteries. He urged the Government to work towards elimination of poverty and illiteracy. On sharing of Cauvery waters, he said the tribunal had done injustice to the State by awarding only 270 tmc ft. of water. Political leaders of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka should hold talks for an amicable solution to the dispute. Cauvery waters should be shared by both States in a friendly manner, he said.
Mr. Kumaraswamy presented a silver chair to the swamiji. The chair was presented to the Chief Minister at a mass marriage ceremony at Davalagi in Muddebehal taluk of Bijapur district by Mr A S Patil Nadahalli of Bijapur, who is the alumnus of the Math.