Dharmasthala: Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan on Saturday inaugurated the SIRI Mathrushree Industrial Park at Belthangady in Karnataka’s Dakshina Kannada district and described the initiative as a model for women-led social transformation and inclusive development.
Addressing a gathering at Dharmasthala, the Vice-President said India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047 must be anchored in self-reliance and rural empowerment. He said institutions such as SIRI have demonstrated how livelihood generation and entrepreneurship can transform the lives of women and rural families.
Radhakrishnan said true development must create dignity, opportunity and confidence among all sections of society, adding that inclusive growth remains central to the vision of Viksit Bharat. He noted that SIRI directly supports the livelihoods of more than 3,000 people and indirectly benefits over 10,000 others, most of them women from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Praising Rajya Sabha MP and SIRI president Dr D Veerendra Heggade, the Vice-President said his life was “a message to society” and lauded his efforts in combining spirituality with social service for nearly six decades. He also commended Hemavathi V Heggade for her contribution to women’s empowerment and community welfare initiatives.
The Vice-President highlighted the worker-friendly facilities at the newly inaugurated industrial park, including hostel accommodation for women employees, residential quarters, childcare support systems, hygienic kitchens, transport facilities and other welfare measures.
Calling SIRI a model worthy of replication across the country, he said the institution has successfully blended traditional skills with modern management practices while remaining socially responsible and environmentally conscious. He added that the principles of “Vocal for Local” and “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” should continue to guide India’s development agenda.
Speaking on the values upheld by Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala, Radhakrishnan said the institution has long symbolised harmony, coexistence and service. He stressed that all religions must be respected equally and said any form of forced religious conversion should be discouraged.
Earlier in the day, the Vice-President visited the Shri Manjunatha Swamy Temple at Dharmasthala, where he offered prayers and interacted with devotees. He also visited the Annapoorna Prasada Nilaya and appreciated the temple’s long-standing tradition of community service and free mass feeding.
