Mangalore: Ramanath Rai stresses on empowerment of Madivala community

Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (DV)

Mangalore, Feb 2: "The Madivala community must shed its inferiority complex and come up in society. Though the community has been deprived of opportunities, the Madivalara Sangha must help them to prosper by providing education and economic empowerment. We should understand the system of reservation and utilize it in the right way. We should learn from our past so that we can live a better future,” said B Ramanath Rai, minister for forest, ecology, and environment.

He was addressing the gathering after inaugurating the 75th anniversary and mass convention of Madivala community organized by Dakshina Kannada district Madivalara Sangha here in Nehru Maidan on Sunday February 2.

He stressed that Madivala community should also come forward in the field of politics.

U T Khadar, minister for health and family welfare, said, "The Madivala community has contributed a lot to society; the sacrifices of religious leaders and community elders are a role model to us. We need to learn from the experiences of great personalities and the elderly who are an asset to the society."

On this occasion Nalin Kumar Kateel, MP, released 'Paavade', a book edited by Dr Vaman Nandavara.

Nalin Kumar Kateel in his address said, "On this day we need to remember the great contribution of Kodialbail Pandu to this organization. The community gets its strength and voice through this organization; may the working of Madivalara Sangha shine like rays of the sun."

Prakash B N, president of Dakshina Kannada district Madivalara Sangha, MLA J R Lobo, MLA Mohiuddin Bava, Dr Vaman Nandavara, Prof Chandrakala Nandavara, Shamala S Kundhar, C Nanjappa, state president of Madivalara Sangha, H S Venkatesh, IPS, Monappa Salian Bejai, Prakash B Salian, Devendra Bunnan, Shubha Dayananda Gujaran, Shivaram Kundar, Dharmendra Katipalla, Krishna Kallodi, Uday Salian, Tukaram Madivala and others were present.

Umanath P B read out the organization's memorandum adressed to the government with various demands, some of which were:

- Grant must be provided to purchase washing machines for the community people
- A circle in Mangalore must be named after Sri Guru Machideva.
- Guru Machideva Study Center must established in Mangalore University.
- Madivala community must be given a place in politics.
- Madivala community must be added to the Scheduled Tribe Category as it has been done in 17 other states.
- Guru Machideva's birthday should be observed as ‘Guru Machideva Jayanti’.
- Guru Machideva's birthplace should be developed by establishing a separate commission.