Inauguration of SIRI MathrushreeIndustrial Park of Sri Dharmasthala Sri GramodyogaSamsthe

I touch and salute the holy feet of Bharat Mata – the Most Powerful and the Most Merciful. Bharat Mata ki jai!

On the occasion of the Inauguration of SIRI Mathrushree Industrial Park of Sri Dharmasthala Sri GramodyogaSamsthe, the dignitaries sharing the dais with me, Hon’ble Governor of Karnataka, Shri Thawar Chand Gahlot Ji; Hon’ble Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of Karnataka, Shri Dinesh Gundu Rao Ji; President SIRI & MP, Rajya Sabha, Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade Ji; Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha, Shri Brijesh Chowta Ji; Founder, SIRI, Smt. Hemavathi V. Heggade Ji; MLA, Belthangady, Shri Harish Poonja Ji; Member of Legislative Council, Belthangady, Shri Prathapsimha Nayak; Vice-President, SDME Society, Shri D. Surendra Kumar;

I am pleased to be here today at the inauguration of the SIRI Mathrushree Industrial Park at Belthangady, a remarkable institution born out of compassion, social responsibility and the visionary leadership of Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade ji and Mathrushree Hemavathi V. Heggade ji. I offer my respectful Pranaam to Lord Manjunatha Swamy at this sacred place where spirituality and service beautifully coexist. A pious place where faith finds expression through education, healthcare, empowerment and human dignity.

The life of Dr.D.Veerendra Heggade ji is itself a message to society. For nearly six decades, he has demonstrated how spirituality can become a force for constructive social change. His work reflects rare qualities such as humility in leadership, discipline in administration, compassion in action and vision in nation-building. His contributions to Rural Development, Women Empowerment, Education, Healthcare, Culture, Heritage Preservation, Environmental sustainability, and Social reform have earned admiration across the Country. The honours conferred upon him, including the Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, Karnataka Ratna and nomination to the Rajya Sabha, are reflections of an exemplary individual and of a philosophy of service.

I also appreciate the contribution of Hemavathi V. Heggade ji, whose commitment to women empowerment and social welfare has strengthened many noble initiatives associated with Dharmasthala. I am given to understand that the SIRI Project is very close to the heart of Mathrushree Hemavathi V.Heggade ji and that is the precise reason why this Industrial Park has been named the SIRI Mathrushree Industrial Park. I feel proud that SIRI is named after Mathrushree Hemavathi V. Heggade, who symbolises women empowerment.

The greatness of Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala lies in the fact that it has always risen above religious boundaries and social divisions. For over eight centuries, Dharmasthala has stood as a shining symbol of harmony, coexistence and service. The unique tradition in which a Shaiva shrine is administered by a Jain family while rituals are performed by Vaishnava priests reflects India’s civilisational strength and spiritual inclusiveness. At a time when the world speaks about coexistence and harmony, Dharmasthala has been practising these values for centuries. Under the dynamic leadership of Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade ji, Dharmasthala has emerged as a great spiritual centre and also as one of India’s most respected Institutions of social service.

Today’s programme is the celebration of a transformative social movement. Real development must touch human lives. It must create dignity, opportunity and confidence among ordinary citizens, especially women, rural communities, Scheduled Castes, minorities and economically weaker sections. That is precisely what SIRI represents.

Established in 2004 as a not-for-profit initiative, SIRI was never conceived as a commercial enterprise driven purely by profit. It was envisioned as a platform for empowerment, a movement capable of transforming rural women into creators, entrepreneurs. The word “SIRI” itself signifies prosperity and abundance. True to its name, this Institution has brought economic strength and self-respect to thousands of women. I am told that today SIRI supports the livelihoods of more than 3,000 individuals directly and more than 10,000 individuals indirectly, most of them women from disadvantaged backgrounds. This is, in its true essence, a social transformation.

The growth journey of SIRI in itself is deeply inspiring. It was not built overnight. It evolved through experimentation, perseverance,innovation and an unwavering commitment to public welfare. Such institutions remind us that nation-building requires patience, compassion and long-term vision qualities which we see abundantly in Dr. Heggadeji’s leadership.

The SIRI Mathrushree Industrial Park, spread across nearly seven acres with over 1.5 lakh square feet of infrastructure, stands today as a shining symbol of socially responsible rural development. I am particularly happy to note that this institution has been developed with a holistic vision, including hostel facilities for women employees, residential quarters, childcare support systems, hygienic kitchens, transportation facilities, welfare amenities and a safe working environment. This integrated human-centric approach is what makes SIRI truly unique. What impresses me most about SIRI is the diversity of its activities. From Garments and Agarbattis to nutritious food supplements, pickles, masalas, cleaning products, millet processing and women-led production systems, this Institution has successfully integrated traditional skills with modern management practices. This is the true spirit of “Vocal for Local” and “Aatmanirbhar Bharat.”

Today, India is moving forward with renewed confidence under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji. The dream of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ — a developed India by 2047 — is a national movement that calls upon every institution, entrepreneur, and citizen to contribute towards building a strong, self-reliant, innovative, and inclusive nation. In this journey towards Viksit Bharat, initiatives such as Make in India, Startup India, Digital India, Skill India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and PM Vishwakarma are creating new opportunities for entrepreneurship, manufacturing, innovation, and rural enterprise. The SIRI Mathrushree Industrial Park perfectly complements these national priorities by nurturing local industries, supporting small entrepreneurs, creating employment opportunities, and empowering rural communities.

I also appreciate the efforts made to connect rural products with wider markets through retail networks and digital platforms such as Amazon India, Flipkart and Blinkit. This integration of rural enterprise with modern supply chains is highly commendable.

There is an important lesson that Institutions like SIRI teach us. SIRI demonstrates that industries can be socially responsible, women-centric, environmentally conscious and deeply humane. I hope this model inspires many more rural industrial ecosystems across India. I also congratulate the thousands of women associated with SIRI. Your dedication, hard work, and resilience are the true foundation of this success story. You all are partners in nation-building.

Before I conclude, I once again congratulate the entire SIRI family, Dr. Heggadeji and all his family members for creating a model that India can proudly showcase before the world. May this Institution continue to grow as a beacon of hope, empowerment and rural prosperity. May the blessings of Lord Shri Manjunatha Swamy guide us all towards harmony, compassion and collective progress.

Jai Hind!

Long Live Mother Bharat!

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