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Belthangady : Dr D Veerendra Heggade, Dharmadhikari of Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala will be conferred with Padma Vibhushan in recognition to his contributions made in the field of rural development, creating self employment opportunities and bringing about social revolution.

Dr Heggade will receive the India’s second-highest civilian award Padma Vibhushan today, Wednesday, April 8 from President of India Pranab Mukherji at Raj Bhavan in New Delhi.

The other people to be conferred with the award apart from Dr Heggade were veteran BJP leader L K Advani and Bollywood superstars Amitabh Bachchan, Dilip Kumar, Shivakumara Swami of Sree Siddaganga Math, Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims Karim Al Hussaini Aga Khan, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, senior Supreme Court lawyer K K Venugopal, nuclear scientist M R Srinivasan and Jagadguru of Tulsi Peeth Ramanandacharya Swami Rambhadracharya.

Born on November 25, 1948, Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade succeeded to the post of Dharmadhikari at the age of 20, on October 24, 1968 becoming the 21st Dharmadhikari of Dharmasthala Temple. In less than four decades, he has carried his heritage to greater heights. Not only by continuing to protect the essence of the Kshetra, but also by achieving remarkable progress in his service to mankind.

His contribution in the field of health, education, religion, art, literature and culture in incredible. He has made a world good to millions through his RUDSET organization and has given a new lease of life to hundreds by organizing free mass weddings. His contribution in the field of health care, yoga and moral science through various schemes has shaped thousands.

Dr Heggade’s medical college and hospital in Dharwad, dental medical college, engineering college and management institutes in Mysuru have been recognized at the national level. His Dharmasthala based Shantivana Trust’s initiative to hold yoga class simultaneously in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts created a milestone by entering into the Guinness Book of Records for holding the ‘largest yoga class’. He was conferred with Padma Bhushan in the year 2000.

On April 9, Dr Heggade will return from New Delhi to Mangaluru and will be accorded with warm welcome at Mangalore International Airport. From Mangaluru to Dharmasthala he will be taken in a vehicle rally. A mammoth procession will also be organised in Ujire and Dharmasthala followed by stage programme.
Poura Sanmana programme will be also be organised in Moodbidri on April 9.