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Bantwal, Oct 31: "Bunts as a community have achieved social and financial progress on account of gender equality and giving importance to education. As a result, this community has become a model for all other communities," said Karnataka chief minister, Siddaramaiah.

He was speaking after participating as chief guest in the inaugural function of Buntara Bhavana Bantwal constructed at Thumbay Valavoor on national highway 75 at B C Road here on Sunday October 30.

Bunts have imbibed aggression and adventurism alongside entrepreneurship. They have made giant strides in the fields of education, banking and agriculture. I sincerely wish that the Bunt community will move forward by retaining these qualities perennially," he added.

Siddaramiaah observed that Bunt community also has a large number of generous donors and philanthropists. He wished that the benefit of their large-heartedness will also benefit other communities, and gave credit to Bunts for leading their community to become socially and financially affluent. "The members of this community like to live together and take others with them on path to progress. Their contributions are not limited to their community alone. I congratulate them for constructing a building that could otherwise be considered only at the state level, at a town like Bantwal," he said, and pledged to release a grant of Rs 1 crore rupees for this building.

On the occasion of ongoing Deepavali festival, Siddaramaiah wished that the festival of lights will light up lives of everyone.

Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari, Dr D Veerendra Heggade, inaugurated ’Buntara Bhavana’ in traditional way. Addressing the gathering, he said that Bunts have been the Aborigines of Tulunadu culture. He said that the ancestors of the present Bunt community were Jains and they had later converted. "Bunts always have been endowed with noble vision, and they have never been narrow-minded. They migrated to big cities like Mumbai where they achieved progress through hard work and single-minded approach. Although they have grown big like giant trees, they have not forgotten their roots. They have always encouraged literature, their state and mother tongue. Their buildings are not confined to any particular caste or community. So, everyone should make best use of this facility," he said.

He requested the elders to provide an opportunity to the younger generation to conserve the culture of Tulunadu, which is rich and unique. He handed over a picture of Lord Manjunatha and two lamps as gifts to the Bhavana.

Spiritual head of Odiyoor Sri Gurudevadatta Samsthan, Sri Gurudevananda Swamiji, delivered benedictory address.

President of Buntara Yane Nadavara Matr Sangha, Ajit Kumar Maladi, inaugurated the function by lighting a lamp. Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister, B Ramanath Rai, MP, Nalin Kumar Kateel, minister, U T Khader, MLAs, Abhay Chandra Jain, Mohiuddin Bava, Shakuntala Shetty and J R Lobo, MLC, Ivan D’Souza, MP from Mumbai, Gopal Shetty, Canara Bank executive director, Harideesh Kumar Shetty, Mumbai Cricket Association secretary, Dr P V Shetty, entrepreneurs, B R Shetty, P V Shetty Bellur Parari, Shashikiran Shetty Mumbai, Dr R N Shetty Huballi, Prakash Shetty, Sudheer Shetty, Dr A J Shetty, veteran writer, Erya Laxminarayana Alva, Dr M Mohan Alva, Ravi Shetty from Qatar, A Sadananda Shetty, Padmanabha Payyade, Jalandhar Shetty, Balakrishna Hegde, Rajesh S Chowta, Kusumadhar D Shetty and a large number of dignitaries and leaders were present.

President of Bantwal Buntara Sangha, Nagriguthu Vivek Shetty, welcomed. Dr Prashanth Marla proposed vote of thanks. Balakrishna Alva Kodaje, Dr Vijeta Shetty, and Devadas Shetty compered the programme.