People should emulate Saint Ramanuja: Governor

Hailing saint Sri Ramanuja's efforts in bringing changes, including in social governance, Tamil Nadu Acting Governor C H Vidhyasagar Rao today urged people to emulate him and construct tanks that could harvest and save rain water.
Participating in a function organised to commemorate the 1,000th birth anniversary of Ramanuja, organised by Thrithandi Jeer Swamy here, he said the saint-philosopher had constructed a tank to harvest rain water in drought-hit Thondanur area in present-day Karnataka.
Stating that river disputes were prevailing between various states in the country, he said "solutions like harvesting rain water, linking rivers, should be taken up to prevent water draining into the sea."

Rao said saint Ramanuja brought change not only in philosophy, but also in social governance.
"Sri Ramanuja was the hero of social equality. He made people think, irrespective of caste creed and color, that they were equal," he said.
Describing Tamil Nadu as the cultural centre of the country, Rao said if terrorism, which had affected many countries across the world couldn't take root in India, the reason was Indian culture.

"Indians believed in harmony and peace. Unity in diversity is part and speciality of the Indian culture," he said.
The 1,000th birth anniversary of Ramanuja, who laid guide lines for administration of Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple and its festival here, is scheduled to be held on May 1, 2017.

Today's function was inaugurated by Sri Thrithandi jeer from Andhra Pradesh and attended by heads of various mutts from different parts of the country.