Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Feb 20: With more than two decades of service in the education sector, well-known educationist from Mangaluru S Ganesh Rao wants to contest the upcoming state elections. S Ganesh Rao wants to contest on behalf of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket from Mangaluru South constituency.
S Ganesh Rao is the founder chairman of Karavali Group of Colleges. Started in 1996, the college was the first recognised university affiliated design college in India now with four sprawling campuses in Mangaluru and Bengaluru offering more than 36 professional courses like Ayurveda, Engineering, Pharmacy, Hotel Management, Nursing, Management, Education etc. Promoting a social cause, S Ganesh Rao has been the front-runner in raising awareness on healthy kidney. Leading from the front, he has been fighting against the implementation of Yettinahole project and contributing to save river Nethravathi.
In his nearly 30 years of public life he took many responsibilities in the field of religion, social, culture, youth and sports, including his service as honorary organizing committee president of ‘Virat Hindu Samajotsava’ at Mangaluru and as vice-president of reception committee of ‘Dharma Samsad’ held at Udupi. He was the former president of Rotract Club North Mangaluru. He was also the former president of the alumni association of SDM College of Business Management and Cascia High School. He was the honorary president of Shri Shri Kuruamba RajaRajeshwari Subramanya Temple, Kodikal. He was also the president of Mannagudda Gurji Celebration Committee. His oratory skills in English, Kannada and Tulu languages are widely appreciated and people are regularly inviting him to inaugurate and preside over various religious, social, cultural, sports and youth activities in and around Mangaluru.
In a quick chat with Daijiworld, he revealed his ambitions and how he aims to serve people as people’s representative.
Confident of people’s support
“I am one of the ticket aspirants from Mangaluru South constituency as I have been requested by volunteers and representatives at various levels to contest the upcoming elections. The party high command may select me or may not. But if selected, I am 100 per cent confident of a win. Even if they do not give me the ticket, I will continue to serve the party.
“Running Karavali College from 21 years, I have been involved in various social, religious and cultural events. Every common man knows me by my name and face, and this is my plus point. People know my background, commitment and credibility. People know my speaking capacity through which I reach every section of the society. I am a leader who respects others and will appreciate people who understand others’ problems.
“Our main concept is to strengthen the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and ensure that India still develops, grows and reaches greater heights. Taking everyone together and make them confident is my vision and mission,” he says.
Find solutions for long pending problems
“After I get elected, my utmost priority is to maintain and tackle water issues and city’s cleanliness. We should not allow anyone to harm nature. Solutions for every problem in the region will be found and I will myself look into them and see that they are implemented.
“Cleaning all water bodies will be my first priority. I feel that we ourselves have created this water issue by converting Mangaluru into a concrete structure. Natural resources should have been maintained which has not been the case here. If I become an MLA, activists like Padre and Holla will be the advisors at the city corporation who have very good knowledge," he informs.
Entering politics with BJP
“I have always supported BJP, but became a very active in the party when Narendra Modi was named as the Prime Ministerial candidate. I like Modi's concept of ‘no discrimination’ against anyone on the basis of caste, creed or religion.
“As a special invitee of BJP state executive, I got an opportunity to interact with local and national leaders. By entering politics, I will not only be a politician, but a statesman and will fight for the causes of general public.
“I call upon people of Mangaluru to oppose injustice and Religious tension in the city which will lead us nowhere. Yettinahole project, bad roads, improper drainage system, and water problems are some of the issues which we need to look into. I have always tried to educate people around me to oppose and not tolerate illegal and inhuman activities,"says S Ganesh Rao.
Proud to inspire people through Karavali
“From the past 21 years, Karavali College has maintained high standard in terms of gaining university ranks and recording best results. The college is filled with cultural richness and celebrates all types of festivals. I always urge students to build positive and constructive relation and understand each others’ culture. Karavali College grew in terms of ranks, placements, and discipline and without my knowledge I became a public figure. I am proud that I have inspired many to follow my footsteps since the inception of Karavali College.
“I have and will continue to take part in several public programmes which connects me to various sections of the society. Organisers invite me for the event because of public faith, commitment, deep involvement and knowledge of public activities. People support, invite and wait for me. I have become a trendsetter.
“I was the organising committee president of Virat Hindu Samajotsava, and vice-president of reception committee at Dharma Sansad. I have taken part in high level programmes with MLAs and MPs. The society has given me a lot and I plan to serve it the same way,” he says.
Leading social movements
“I am the president of kidney health movement where we received a lot of support from doctors. We are continuously organising Kidney awareness programmes throughout the district. As per statistics, 10% of people are suffering due to kidney problems.
"I regularly attend programmes which promote and motivate people. We should make youngsters confident. Once people are confident, they will work hard without giving up. Those afraid of facing problems will find easier ways and indulge in immoral activities. Once people are confident they will face it. I am trying to unite the society rather than dividing it. Because of recognition, support, and appreciation, I decided to enter politics,” says Rao.
Fight against Yettinahole project
S Ganesh Rao has been leading protests against the implementation of Yettinahole project from a very early stage. He says, “Natural resource should be maintained and passed to the next generation. Wrong policies have been made by the government only to make money as commission. Yettinahole is a bogus project to loot public money. The present government gave the permission for the project.
Not in politics to make money
“In Mangaluru, I am no less than an MLA or MP in people’s view. I am not only an educationalist, but a social activist involved in every field, and taking part in major programmes. Politics for me is not to make money, earn name and fame, but to serve people and to make the city better.
“If my party gives me an opportunity to contest elections, I am 100% confident of a win, as people are with me,” concludes Ganesh Rao.