Pics: Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network—Udupi (RD)
Udupi, Jul 23: “As and when a human being does not embody human virtues, one will not become a universal human being,” said state Human Rights Commission chairman Justice S R Nayak.
He was speaking at the programme for distribution of scholarships to talented students and economically-weaker students of the district, besides distributing financial assistance to elderly Yakshagana artistes of undivided Dakshina Kannada district, organized by G Shankar Family Trust, at Shamili Auditorium on Sunday July 22.
“In democratic governance, a responsible citizen has to vote for a deserving people’s representative. Meanwhile, its unfortunate that people are lured with money and other gains in order to exercise their precious franchise while educated citizens shun from casting their votes,” added Justice Nayak.
“In the prevailing situation, human rights abuse and incidents of disrespect to elders is rising. Students should be encouraged to discuss about the social and scientific aspect. Everyone should be respected for shunning religion and caste. The economically-weaker students and talented students should be supported in their studies, disregarding their status in society,” he added.
“We listen to speeches that in a democracy both men and women are equal but the rampant ill-treatment of women and injustice to them is going on. Women’s right to property is jeopardized by men causing injustice to their rights. The parents should take an oath to award equal rights to all children,” added Justice Nayak.
“Yakshagana is an art that clearly distinguishes from religion and evils. It lays emphasis on moral values and cultural upbringing. Yakshagana has to increase the numbers of artistes by nurturing the folk art,” he said.
Veteran eye surgeon Dr Gururaj Bhagavat, SSLC toppers K Anusha Nayak and Akshata, II PUC toppers Vidhya Kamath, Preeti Kamath, and Padmini Jain, as well asveteran Yakshagana artistes were felicitated on the occasion.
Scholarships were distributed to 3,000 talented economically-weaker students.
Western Range IGP Pratap Reddy presided over the programme.
SP Dr Boralingayya, G Shankar Family Trust chairman Dr G Shankar, and district Mogaveer Yuva Sangatan president Jaya C Kotian were present on the occasion.