In a significant event celebrating the bond between teachers and students, the Hukkeri Math has announced ambitious plans for a new student hostel and received substantial pledges from alumni and political leaders. The Guru Vandana ceremony for Shivabasaveshwara Higher Primary and High School became a platform for reaffirming the enduring value of guru-shishya tradition and community service.
Math Announces Major Infrastructure Project for Students
Addressing senior students at the Shivabasaveshwara Kalyana Mantapa in Haveri, Sadashiva Swamiji of Hukkeri Math made a major announcement. He declared that the first floor of a new, free students' hostel, capable of accommodating 1,000 students, will be inaugurated within the next year. The Swamiji emphasized that this project is a fitting tribute to the occasion.
He credited the Math's comprehensive threefold service—providing food, education, and shelter—for nurturing students who have gone on to excel in various fields. "It is time for students who studied at the monastery and excelled in their respective fields to honor their guru," he stated, calling on successful alumni to give back.
Alumni in High Places Reflect on Guru's Blessings
The event was presided over by Haveri Deputy Commissioner Vijay Mahantesh Danammanavar, who is himself an alumnus. He spoke passionately about the lifelong impact of teachers, stating that their guidance in imparting human values shapes destinies. "Our teachers deserve daily remembrance," Danammanavar said, acknowledging their role in his own societal contributions.
He shared a personal anecdote, describing the past few days as profoundly blessed. He managed his administrative duties during the funeral of Sri Siddheshwar Swamiji in Vijayapura and then attended the festival at his alma mater, Hukkeri Math.
Political Leaders Hail Math's Unifying Role and Pledge Funds
Salim Ahmad, the Chief Whip of the Legislative Council, offered a broader perspective on the Math's influence. He observed that Hukkeri Math transcends its identity as a mere religious centre. According to him, it is an institution that instills human values through education and culture while actively fostering unity that goes beyond caste and religious lines.
"As a devotee for the past two-and-a-half decades, I have learned to live by the Math's principles," Ahmad remarked. Demonstrating his commitment, he made a concrete assurance: "I will provide a grant of Rs 10 lakh from the MLA fund for the students' hostel."
The ceremony also featured addresses from several other dignitaries, including MLC SV Sankanur, Channabasava Swamiji of Dodda Hunase Kalmath in Savanur, Channabasava Swamiji of Moolegadde Shivayogashrama, and senior alumnus Prof Omkar Kakade. Their collective presence underscored the widespread respect and influence commanded by the Hukkeri Math and its educational legacy.
The event successfully bridged spiritual gratitude with tangible social development, setting the stage for a project that will directly benefit a thousand young scholars in the coming year.
