Drop your addiction in this seer's satchel

HUBBALLI: Shivashanta Veera Sharanaru stands out from the crowd with his jolige. As he goes around collecting cigarettes, liquor bottles and sachets of gutka in his satchel, he whispers words of encouragement to the youth who have now resolved to stay on the straight and narrow. The seer of Sri Channaveer Sharanar Mutt of Balaganur has touched many lives in a similar fashion during his padayatra through Gadag district by urging people to give up drinking and smoking.At each village, he convenes thought-provoking discussions with the youth on the adverse effects of drinking and smoking. At the end of a session, many motivated villagers symbolically drop off their cigarettes, liquor bottles and gutka sachets in the seer's satchel to declare that they would begin the process of de-addiction.
The seer has already reportedly brought about significant changes in the lives of people in Chikkamannur,% Savadi, Dasahadagali, Hombala, %Kadadi, Arahunasi, Sandigawad, HS Venkatapur, Gavarwadi, Jantlishirur and Huligol villages.
Sharanaru explains that he launched the padayatra on the premise that most of the youths who smoke or drink do not know enough about the adverse effects of their habits. "They need to be enlightened in an effective way so that they get to know about the risks that smoking, drinking or chewing gutkha/tobacco pose to their health. After %realizing that there is a need to create more awareness and motivate people into giving up their habits, I decided to go on this mission." His itinerary is chalked out to the tee: Arrive at a village at 6.30am and hold discussions till 10am. "I recite vachanas, and sing bhajans and other religious songs to convey the message of great philosophers who advocated leading a healthy life by not touching liquor, cigarettes and tobacco," says the seer. He then asks people to drop their liquor bottles, cigarettes and tobacco sachets into his jolige after taking an oath that they would not touch them again.
Sharanaru says his efforts have begun to bear fruit. "In each of the villages I visited, 10-15 youths gave up drinking and smoking. It is making a difference in their lives and inspiring many to think twice before picking up a drink or a cigarette."
Gavisiddhaiah, a villager, vouches for this claim. He says he used to %regularly consume gutka, but after meeting the seer, he has turned over a new leaf. "I was inspired by his discourse and I quit the habit."
Hanumantagowda Kalmani, a devotee, echoes him, saying that the mission has convinced many youths to kick the butt and give up drinking. The mission will take a few more days to cover all of Gadag district. The seer plans to take it forward to other districts like Raichur, Koppal and Haveri later.