Hindu seer touched by Bishops' gesture

Shivakumara Swamiji of Siddaganga Math was very touched by the gesture of eight bishops from Karnataka who visited the Hindu seer to wish on the eve of his centenary birth celebrations.

The swamiji told media persons that he was delighted by the gesture of the bishops. "Such visits will go a long way in founding peace and amity among all religions," he said.

The bishops on behalf of the Karnataka Catholic Akhila Dharmadhyakshara (Bishops) Okkoota presented a citation to the Hindu leader. The swamiji will turn 102 on April 1.

Bishops Aloysius P D'Souza from Mangalore, Thomas Vazhapilly from Mysore, Gerald Lobo from Shimoga, Robert Miranda from Gulbarga, Derek Fernandes from Karwar, Peter Machado from Belgaum, Thomas Anthonysamy from Chikmagalur and Henry D'Souza from Bellary visited the seer.

Bishop Henry D'Souza told reporters that it is not important how we have lived but how we lived in society matters. "We are inspired after seeing swamiji contributing to society. The swamiji has served all classes of children. He is a model for India."

"We all very much loved it. Deeper study of any stream of the spirituality takes us closer to the God," he said.

"Siddaganga Swamiji's is a towering personality. Pratibha Patil, President, came from New Delhi to greet the swamiji. Nation bowed before him," he added.