From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Belgaum
Belgaum, Dec 6: Both houses of Karnataka Legislature on Friday mourned the death of Bharata Ratna Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first elected president and a global anti-apartheid icon, who died on Thursday night.
As soon as both Houses met in the morning, State Legislative Assembly Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa and Council Chairman D H Shankaramurthy moved obituary references and paid rich tributes to the departed leader.
The Speaker recalled the contributions of Mandela in the field of democracy, human rights, democracy, peace, and eradication of untouchability.
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra hailed Mandela’s contributions in drafting the South Africa’s constitution, implementation of land reforms and anti-poverty schemes for upliftment of the poor.
Opposition Leader in the Assembly H D Kumaraswamy and Leader of the Opposition in Council D V Sadananda Gowda said Mandela is widely respected for his role in fighting racism in South Africa.
Former Chief Ministers B S Yeddyurappa, Jagadish Shettar, Revenue Minister V Srinivas Prasad, PWD Minister H C Mahadevappa, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, C T Ravi, K S Puttanniah, Ashok Kheny, K Shivamurthy, and YSV Datta spoke and remembered Mandela’s contributions in various fields and ensuring peaceful relations with India.
Mandela’s principles and ideals are still relevant today, members of all political parties said.