Mangaluru: Observing the 527th birth anniversary celebration of saint Kanakadasa, at Nethravathi auditorium of Zilla Panchayat on Saturday November 9; Minister for Forest, Environment and Ecology B Ramanath Rai addressed a large number of gathering.

Rai said, “Kanaka Jayanthi is a moment to recall how much we have succeeded in forming a society without exploitation, by learning lessons from history.”

Saint Kanakadasa has showed that God treats human beings as equal and that a common man can also reach God with his knowledge and pure love. Thus we must uplift equality,” he added.

Presiding over the programme, MLA J R Lobo said that Kanaka Jayanthi is a day to remember the messages of Kanakadasa. His love towards motherland and his spiritual life are relevant even today.

A procession along with the portrait of Kanakadasa was taken out from Sharada Mantapa at Urwa Store to the Nethravathi auditorium. Mayor Mahabala Marla inaugurated the procession. Chethana Mattu Balaga (Moodabidri), Rajesh Kudva (Barke) and Karavali Kurubara Sangha (Mangalore) troupes had participated in the procession.

Theerthahalli Tunga Mahavidyalaya Kannada Professor Dr B Ganapati delivered special lecture on the messages of Kanakadasa.

MLA Mohiuddin Bava, MLC Ivan D’Souza,  Zilla Panchayat Vice President Satish Kumpala, CEO Tulasi Maddineni, Additional Deputy Commissioner Sadashiva Prabhu, SP Dr  Sharanappa, Kannada and Culture Department Assistant Director Chandrahas B Rai, Karnataka Pradeshika Kurubara Sangha Director H Prasanna Kumar, Karavali Kurubara Sangha President Shivananda Jharajhari were present among others.