Mangalore: SFI Activists Disrupt Rajyotsava Celebrations, Arrested
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (VM)
Mangalore, Nov 1: The district Rajyotsava celebrations on Thursday November 1 were marred by protests by members of Students Federation of India (SFI) who barged into Nehru Maidan expressing their angst over the proposal to close Kannada medium schools in the state.
On Monday October 29, the SFI had warned that it would not allow Rajyotsava celebrations in the district, in protest against the report by Prof Govinda, vice-chancellor of a Delhi university, recommending closure of 12,740 government Kannada medium schools in the state.
On Thursday, just as district incharge minister C T Ravi began his Rajyotsava address, the activists barged inside the ground holding posters and shouting slogans.
The activists were stopped by the police and taken away. They were later taken into custody.
After the brief disruption, the ceremony resumed.
C T Ravi referred to the SFI protest and said though everyone has a right to protest, doing so on a day like this (Kannada Rajyotsava) was wrong.
"Without students schools cannot run. The government cannot do anything if there are no students. The SFI has never been concerned about Kannada," he said, assuring that discussions will be held on the matter.
Mini Vidhana Soudha in Mangalore
C T Ravi said that a mini Vidhana Soudha will be built in Mangalore at a cost of Rs 4 crore. Also, government Lady Goschen hospital in the city will be developed at a cost of Rs 21 crore, with the help of MRPL.
Several other development projects have been undertaken for the district like 3D theatre to be set up at Pilikula at Rs 24.5 crore, hanging bridge from Sulthan Battery to Tannir Bavi worth Rs 12 crore, animal husbandry college in Koila in Puttur, 400 meter synthetic track at Mangala stadium worth Rs 3.6 crore, and so on. Tender has been called for the construction of district drama theater worth Rs 15 crore, he said.
Speaking further on Kannada, he said it is not only a language of understanding but is also a language to be proud of.
"The government has introduced various schemes for the welfare of poor, students, farmers and various others like loans with less interest, 108 ambulance services, Bhagya Laxmi Yojana and others," he said.
Importance has been given to Kannada language in various ways like job reservation for people who persue their education in Kannada, 100 percent utilization of Kannada language in administration, pension to Kannada scholars, funds to Kannada Sahitya sammelana and many others, said Ravi.
A colourful march past was held by 14 groups including civil police, traffic police, fire brigade, NCC, Air and Army wings, Guides, and DK police band. C T Ravi recieved the guard of honour in an open jeep parade.
On the occasion, district Rajyotsava Awards were conferred on 19 personalities, and eight children were honoured for their achievements in various fields. The children felicitated were Laxmi Prasad K Achar and Manmitha M K (art), K Akhila and Gautami C S (culture), Celia Amith and Surin M U (sports) and Karthik Bhat and Sridevi (academics).
Ravi handed over cloth bags on the occasion to symbolically mark the ban on plastics in the taluk. A Sthree Shakti self-help group vehicle with handicrafts and others things prepared by them was also launched.
Legislative assembly deputy speaker Yogish Bhat, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, MLA U T Khader, MLC Monappa Bhandary, DC Channappa Gowda, ZP CEO K N Vijayprakash, city police commissioner Manish Karbikar, SP Abhishek Goyal, IGP (western range) Pratap Reddy, Koragappa Nayak, deputy mayor Amithakala and others were present.
Earlier, a rally was held from Mangala Stadium to Nehru Maidan to mark the ban on plastic in the taluk. The rally was flagged off by C T Ravi.