Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)
Kundapur, Jul 4: “The government has implemented several programmes for the development of Koraga community, but the community is hesitant in making use of them. Due to scarcity of education, inferiority complex and fear, youth of this generation do not come forward. The district administration which watched it, has decided to hold meetings in select gram panchayats every week to instill confidence in them and look for solutions to problems. Group discussions should be held in such meetings,” said Udupi deputy commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis.
She addressed a programme held under the aegis of Gopadi gram panchayat, Samagra Girijana Abhivridhi Yojane and Koraga Sanghatane Udupi to provide information regarding education and health to youth of Koraga community where she was the chief guest.
“Koraga community students should not stop their education before tenth standard. They should study at least till tenth standard. There are ample opportunities for development of their skills. Training is also available. Remaining backward despite that is not correct. Group activities will create awareness and fill them with courage. Gram panchayat development officer will take part in the meetings once in two months and monitor development. The world is changing. Just eating and sleeping is not life. It should also consist of achievement and service.”
“Arts and crafts of your community is respectable. There are opportunities to make use of them. Gopadi grama panchayat has taken special initiative regarding Koraga community. I am glad to work with the panchayat which has provided growth opportunities for Koraga community,” she said.
Zilla panchayat member Srilatha Suresh Shetty who inaugurated the programme said that Koraga community members are innocent. “There is a danger of misusing it. Fear, lack of priority for education, lack of awareness are the reasons of setbacks in progress. We should not think that education is employment. Personality changes from low level due to education. It changes life. Give priority to education. Create an environment that is conducive to education at home,” she said.
Gram panchayat president Saraswathi Putran chaired the programme. Zilla panchayat executive officer Shivananda Kapasi, taluk panchayat member Violet Baretto, gram panchayat vice president Kalpana Bhasker, Koraga Sanghatane president Ganesh, taluk panchayat member Babitha, resource person Narendra Kumar Kota and Samagra Girijana Yojane department officer were present.
Precilla prayed. Saraswathi Putran welcomed the gathering. Koraga Sangatane's Ganesh Barakooru delivered an introductory speech. Gram panchayat development officer Ganesh compered the programme.