Pics: Daya Kukkaje

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Nov 4: “Veto power, which is granted to the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council is not right. Their opinion may not be the opinion of all other countries,” said former Lokayukta justice N Santhosh Hegde.

Justice Hegde was speaking at the valedictory function of first edition of St Aloysius Pre-University Model United Nations (SAPMUN) 2019 at St Aloysius College on Sunday, November 3.

SAPMUN is an educational simulation activity based on the working model of the United Nations aimed at fostering a diplomatic zeal among the students of high school, pre-university and undergraduate level by providing them a platform to discuss and role-play as the delegates of different nations.

Justice Santhosh Hegde further said, "Each one of the five permanent members of UN security council has the power of veto, which enables them to prevent the adoption of any substantive draft Council resolution, regardless of its level of international support. I believe in democracy and do not agree with this system of providing veto power to the five permanent members of United Nations Organisations (UNO).

"The elected representatives should have human values and committed to their duties. In the year 2014, in Lok Sabha session, not a single issue was discussed for 14 days.

“The only way to respect the democracy is to inculcate social values among students. You should not fall prey to greed and there should be humanism throughout your life that will help to reach high position.”

Student coordinator Letitia D'Costa welcomed the gathering. Sameeksha Pramod Shetty compered the programme. Principal Clifford Sequeira, vice principals Shalet D'Souza and Murali Krishna, secretary general Sasha D'Souza, director-general Azaan Ibrahim and others were present.