Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Dec 2: In a noble initiative, the Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (CREDAI), Mangaluru on Saturday December 2 disbursed scholarships to 25 children of construction workers in a function held at Hotel Ocean Pearl here.

MLA J R Lobo distributed scholarships worth Rs 1.5 lac to students.

Addressing the gathering, MLA J R Lobo said, "I congragulate all the students on receiving scholarship for this academic year. It is a great initiative taken by CREDAI Mangaluru. Lack of financial resources is always a hindrance for students to fulfil their dreams. CREDAI has helped such students with scholarships and motivated them. Students are the backbone of their families. They should join hands in rendering social service and building the nation.

"Even the builders face a lot of challenges as some of their flats go unsold, but despite this, they have taken the initiative to award scholarships to students. I urge the students to utilize this scheme. Society is very cruel and you should lead your life all alone facing all the hurdles which come your way. End of the day, your skills and credibility matter a lot for the society to accept you," Lobo said.

CREDAI president D B Mehta said, "We have taken certain initiatives such as healthcare for the CREDAI site workers, where they are issued labour welfare card for free treatment for basic health problems and discount for other treatments. The scholarships are distributed for 50,000 students in across the country. This time we are giving it for 20 students in Mangaluru and in the next five years our plan is to reach 100 students.

"Under Pradhan Mantri Skill Development programme, training has been given to unskilled workers. Due to poor training of the workers there is a lot of wastage at the construction and they are also paid less. There is also initiative to set up smart classes in government schools in association with Mangalore Round Table. We have already set up smart classes at Bikarnakatte and Panjimogaru schools, while those at Bokkapatna and Derlakatte schools are on the verge of inauguration. We are also starting clean city movement by setting up solid waste management within the buildings to ease the burden for the corporations. We have already started this movement in Mangaluru," he said.

CREDAI Mangaluru vice-president Siraj Ahmed, state vice-president Pushparaj Jain, CREDAI Mangaluru secretary Naveen Cardoza, joint secretary Vinod Pinto and others were present.