Sri Kanakadasa Jayanti

Remebering the 16th century saint-composer Sri Kanakadasa was against the caste system. He had made this clear in his compositions. Udupi had become famous as, according to legend, Lord Krishna had come to give “darshan” to Kanakadasa.

This incident had been immortalised by the “Kanakana Kindi” or “Kanaka’s window” at the temple. This incident also showed that the Lord was interested only in devotion and not in the caste or status of a devotee.

The government was giving priority to providing education to students coming from economically backward classes. The new Morarji Desai Residential Schools would be started in the State this year. Priority was being given for construction of buildings, creation of basic infrastructure facilities and modernisation of Morarji Desai Residential Schools running in rented buildings.

Under the ‘Vidyasiri’ scheme, boarding and lodging costs of 50,000 students in post-matric hostels and for Ph.D. students, who were unable to get admission in hostels, was being borne by the government. These students were getting a monthly allowance of Rs. 1,500.

To promote participation of girls in higher education, the government waived tuition fees and laboratory fees for girl students in all aided colleges. The government was directly reimbursing the amount on this account to the aided colleges. This scheme was benefitting nearly 1.15 lakh girl students in the State. “All these measures are aimed at promoting social justice through education,” and this is the best way to honor and remember Reformers such as Sri Basaveshwara, Sri Kanakadasa and Sri Narayanaguru who had tried to bring social change and emphasised on an egalitarian society.