Padma Bhushan, Karnataka Ratna, Centenarian Siddaganga Swamiji is no more
Tumkur, Jan 21: Padma Bhushan, Karnataka Ratna, Centenarian Dr. Shivakumar Swamiji of Siddhaganga Mutt passed away on Monday at 11:44 am. He was 111 years old.
The 111-year-old seer of Siddaganga mutt, who was on ventilation support until recently, was brought back to the mutt on January 16. He was being treated for a lung infection which he developed after undergoing a liver bypass.
As word of his failing health spread, thousands people from in and around Tumakuru, and politicians cutting across party lines, had gathered at the mutt to keep vigil.
According to the math website, the highly revered swamiji was born on April 1, 1908 in Veerapura village in Karnataka.
The website of Sree Siddaganga College of Education, founded by him, mentions his date of birth as April 1, 1907.
"I am deeply saddened to announce that the walking God, Parama Poojya Siddaganga Sri, has passed away. It is an irreparable loss to the state. His contribution to the society transformed lakhs of people from across the state.
He shaped the future of many people," Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy told reporters in Tumakuru, where the seer passed away.
Kumaraswamy announced a government holiday on Tuesday and state mourning for three days.
A recipient of Padma Bhushan and Karnataka Ratna awards, the seer was in a serious condition for the past two months and had undergone a surgery at a private hospital in Chennai about two months ago for his liver related complications.
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73 Rajya Sabha MPs declare criminal cases; 31 billionaires: ADR Report
New Delhi (PTI): Around 32 per cent of sitting Rajya Sabha MPs have declared criminal cases against themselves, while 14 per cent are billionaires, according to a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).
The report is based on an analysis of affidavits of 229 out of 233 Rajya Sabha MPs. One seat from Jharkhand is currently vacant, while affidavits of three MPs were unavailable. The analysis includes 37 recently elected members.
Of the 229 MPs analysed, 73 (32 per cent) have declared criminal cases, with 36 (16 per cent) of them facing serious charges. One MP has declared a case of murder, four have cases of attempt to murder, and three have cases related to crimes against women.
Party-wise, 27 of 99 BJP MPs, 12 of 28 Congress MPs, four of 13 TMC MPs, and four of 10 AAP MPs have declared criminal cases. Three MPs from CPI(M) and BRS each have disclosed criminal cases.
The report also found 31 MPs (14 per cent) having a net worth of billions of rupees.
Among major parties, six BJP MPs, five Congress MPs, four YSRCP MPs, two AAP MPs, two BRS MPs, and three NCP MPs have declared assets exceeding Rs 100 crore.
The average assets of a Rajya Sabha MP stand at Rs 120.69 crore.
Among major parties, the average assets per MP are Rs 28.29 crore for BJP, Rs 128.61 crore for Congress, Rs 17.70 crore for TMC, and Rs 574.09 crore for AAP. Other parties include YSRCP (Rs 522.63 crore), SP (Rs 399.71 crore), BJD (Rs 105.63 crore), and DMK (Rs 11.90 crore).
BRS MP Bandi Partha Saradhi has declared the highest assets at over Rs 5,300 crore, followed by AAP's Rajinder Gupta with over Rs 5,053 crore, and YSRCP's Alla Ayodhya Rami Reddy with over Rs 2,577 crore.
On the other end, AAP MP Sant Balbir Singh is the poorest, with assets worth about Rs 3 lakh. He is followed by Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba of Manipur with around Rs 5 lakh, and TMC's Prakash Chik Baraik with approximately Rs 9 lakh.
