Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (NR)
Pics by Dayanand Kukkaje
Mangalore, Feb 17: The Mother Josephine Memorial lecture on 'Role of women in building value-based society' was held at the conference hall of St. Ann's College of Education here on Saturday, February 16.
Delivering the key-note address on the occasion, Justice N. Santhosh Hegde, Lokayukta making a scathing attack on corruption and corrupt individuals in society, pointed out that earlier in our society corrupt persons did not enjoy any respect and were not even entertained. However, now the situation has changed. They are in-fact given lot of respect and honoured at functions if they pay donations, he rued.
Justice Hegde, therefore made an ardent plea saying "Corrupt persons should not be invited for any programmes." Giving an example from pre-independence era, he said that Gandhiji had a vision of taking the administration to the door step of all people. And now although there are five levels of administration it has not yet reached any-one's door step, he opined.
In this context he ironically stated "Interestingly, corruption and politics has reached every household." In-fact it has increased because we do not perform our duties properly. Corruption will disappear if people are alert. He then went on to add positively "I have a lot of faith in youth. On or the other day, the dream of an corrupt-free society will be realised".
With regard to SEZ, Justice Hegde pointed out that since time is at a premium, by the time the compensation from the government reaches the land-owner, the value of the land he sold would have increased two-fold. "Therefore, compensation should be paid as soon as the land is purchased from the land owners,"he advised.
M. Clare, president, Alumnae Association of the college was also present on the occasion.