Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah paid respects to Maharshi Valmiki saying the sage was a great writer who gave the world the epic Ramayana, which is a classic work.

He paid floral tribute to the idol of the sage situated at the Shri Maharshi Valmiki Tapovana and wished the people of Karnataka on the occasion of Valmiki Jayanti on Tuesday.

Siddaramaiah said that although born into a backward class, Valmiki rose to great heights and wrote the Ramayana. He also cited the example of the seer Kanakadasa, saying both Valmiki and Kanakadasa were models for an open-minded society as they lived as they preached.

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