Shivakumara Swami

Dr. Sri Sri Sri Shivakumara Swamiji
Born (1907-04-01) April 1, 1907
Veerapura, Magadi Taluk Karnataka
Occupation Indian humanitarian - Founder of the Sri Siddaganga Education Society

Dr. Sri Sri Sri Shivakumara Swamiji (Kannada:ಡಾ.ಶಿವಕುಮಾರ ಸ್ವಾಮೀಜಿ) (born April 1, 1907) is the head of Sree Siddaganga Mutt in Tumkur District, South India and founder of the Sri 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 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, Sri 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 109. He is also known as "Nadedaduva Devaru" (Walking God) in Karnataka.[3] The Karnataka government also sought for Bharat Ratna for his social service.[4]

Education

Dr.Shivakumara swamiji had Primary Education at Veerapura & Nagavalli,Secondary Education at Government High School, Tumkur and completed Pre University & degree from Bangalore University[5] in central college,Bangalore during this time (1927-1930) stayed in Rao Bahadur Dharmapravartha Gubbi Thotadappa hostel.

Contributions to society

Sree Swamiji (right) along with Dr. Abdul Kalam (left)

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 thousands of poor students, their fees and daily accommodation along with 3 full meals a day.

Awards

On his centenary in 2007, the Government of Karnataka awarded Swamiji the prestigious Karnataka Ratna award, the highest civilian award of the state. In 2015 the Government of India awarded him the Padma Bhushan.

Notes

  1. "Siddaganga Institute of Technology". Retrieved 2009-02-25.
  2. 1 2 "Kalam hails Siddaganga seer's contribution to society". The Hindu (Chennai, India). 2006-04-08. Retrieved 2009-02-25.
  3. "Walking God".
  4. "Bharat Ratna sought for Siddaganga seer". The Hindu.
  5. "Sre Siddaganga Mutt". sreesiddagangamutt.org.

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