Shivakumara Swami
Dr. Sree Sree Sree Shivakumara Swamiji | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 1, 1907 |
| Occupation | Founder of the Sree Siddaganga Education Society |
Dr. Sree Sree Sree Shivakumara Swamiji (Kannada: ಡಾ. ಶ್ರೀ ಶ್ರೀ ಶ್ರೀ ಶಿವಕುಮಾರ ಸ್ವಾಮೀಜಿ) (born April 1, 1907) is the present head of Sree Siddaganga Mutt in Tumkur District, South India and founder of the Sree Siddaganga Education Society.[1] He was initiated into viraktashram order in 1930. Swamiji was born in Veerapura near Magadi Taluk. He studied English in college and is proficient in Kannada and Sanskrit. He has established educational institutions which offer a courses in traditional learning of Sanskrit as well as modern science and technology. He is widely respected for his philanthropic work by all communities.[2] In recognition of his humanitarian work, Sree Swamiji was conferred with an honorary degree of Doctor of Literature by Karnatak University in 1965. He continues his humanitarian work even at the age of 105.
Contributions to society
Swamiji's Guru Kula houses more than 8500 children of age group 5 to 16 years and is open to children from all religions, castes, and creeds, who are provided free food, education, and shelter. Under the pontiff's guidance, annual agricultural fair is held for the benefit of the local population. Karnataka state government has announced[2] to institute Shivakumara Swamiji Prashasti from the year 2007, the centennial year of Swamiji. Dr. A.P.J Kalam, the former President of India visited him at Tumkur and praised the initiatives of Swamiji in education and humanitarian work.He is also working hard on taking care of twenty thousands of poor students included with their fees and daily hostage along with 3 full meals a day .[citation needed]
Awards
On his centenary in 2007, the Government of Karnataka awarded Swamiji the prestigious Karnataka Ratna award, the highest civilian award of the state.
Notes
- ^ "Siddaganga Institute of Technology". Retrieved 2009-02-25.
- ^ a b "Kalam hails Siddaganga seer's contribution to society". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 2006-04-08. Retrieved 2009-02-25.
