Seers help keep people on the right track: Governor

HUBBALLI: Seers play an important role in keeping people on the straight and narrow path, said governor Vajubhai Vala on Sunday.
Inaugurating the Chandraprabha Hall of Dakshin Bharat Sabha Bhavan here, he said when commoners hanker after money and property, saints get them involved in charitable works and make a difference to others' lives. "They help inculcate patience, creativity and positive thinking in people."
Through social services, one can attain a sense of virtue, he stressed, and cited the example of the charitable nature of the Jain community.
Unveiling a statue of late Justice TK Tukol, Jagadish Shettar, leader of the opposition in the assembly, lauded the community, saying the Jains have been playing a vital role in the development of the nation. "The Digambar Jain Boarding, which is celebrating its centenary this year, has been generous enough to meet the needs of poor students in education, accommodation and food in Hubballi."
Dharwad MP Pralhad Joshi, who released a souvenir - Chandraprabhe - credited institutions like the Digambar Jain Boarding with lowering the school dropout rate. He suggested that the boarding's management fund medical and higher education expenses poor and talented students from the Jain community.
Rural development and panchayat raj minister HK Patil underscored the community's concern for the poor, animals and sources of water.
Laxmisena Bhattaraka of Jain Mutt, Kolhapur, Dharmasena Bhattaraka of Navagraha Tirth, Varur, Bhattakalanka Bhattaraka of Swadi Mutt, Sonda, veteran journalist Patil Puttappa, former minister Basavaraj Horatti, MLA Prasad Abbayya, president of Dakshin Bharat Jain Samaj Ravsaheb Patil, boarding's president Datta Dorle and others were present.