First Arya Vysya conference, Vasavi Sankalpa Rath Yatra in Davanagere

DAVANAGERE: A mammoth Vasavi Sankalpa rath yatra is going to culminate in Davangere on Saturday and its valedictory function will be held at Trushul Kala Bhavan by noon.
The event is also going to coincide with the first Davanagere district Arya Vysya conference with the support of Sri Kanyakaparameshwari temple samithi, Davanagere, said R L Prabhakar, the president of district Vysya samithi.Five rath yatras started from Bangalore, Chikballapur, Nanjangud, Hubli and Bidar, a month ago and all of them will culminate in Davangere on Saturday, he said. More than one lakh Samaj members will attend the event. The event is being organised as a part of the centenary celebrations of Karnataka Arya Vysya Mahasabha, he said. The centenary celebrations will be held at Bangalore's Palace Grounds from December 24 to 26, he added.
Although they have a population of over 5 lakh, their community is yet to be properly represented in the political field, he lamented.
As part of the cenetenary celebrations of the maha sabha of the Samaj, they have chalked out several socio-economical programmes including poverty alleviation, providing self-employment training and free hostels for the poor samaj students, he said.
Besides, the Samaj has donated Rs 24 lakh to the flood rehabilitation programme being held at Raichur district, he said.
Several VIPs including D H Shankara Murthy, chairman of the legislative council, former minister Nagamma Keshavamurthy, Ravishankar, state president of Vysya Samaj, R P Ravishakar, DC P S Vastrad, SP H S Venkatesh, senior Samaj leader and chairman of Bapuji Educational Association Kasala S Vittal will attend the event, Prabhakar said.