By Shekar Ajekar
Daijiworld Media Network—Karkala (RD/CN)
Karkala, Feb 13: “Women empowerment goes along with national self-sufficiency. I take happiness in the achievement of others. SCDCC Bank chairman M N Rajendra Kumar has indeed contributed for women empowerment and thereby extended his service to national self-sufficiency,” said Mangalore MP Nalin Kumar Kateel.
He was speaking at the inaugural of the decennial celebrations of Navodaya Self-help Groups (SHGs) at Padu Tirupati Maidan, on Friday February 12. The three-day decennial celebrations of Navodaya SHGs was organized in association with South Kanara District Central Co-operative (SCDCC) Bank and Navodaya Gram Vikas Charitable Trust.
State co-operative society controller Dr H V Parshwanath felicitated the office-bearers of lead SHGs under Navodaya, in the presence of MLA Gopal Bhandary, MLC Capt Ganesh Karnik, former MLA Sunil Kumar, and zilla panchayat vice-president Santhosh Kumar Shetty.
Mangalore-based Sahyadri Education Trust president Manjunath Bhandary, NABARD general manager Dr Venkatesh B Tagat, former MLA Sunil Kumar, and actor Basappa of Zee Kannada TV serial ‘Jogula’ were present on the dais.
A procession of traditional Tulunadu dances and also a few Kerala folk dances was held from Swarajya Maidan to Padu Tirupati venue grounds from 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm on Friday.
The tableaux of Bhootala Pandya, Krishna Devaraya, and Rani Abbakka added much flavour to the procession. A large number of people joined in the procession despite the hot sun.
Navodaya Gram Vikas Charitable Trust director Bhaskar Kotian welcomed the gathering. Narayan Kamath proposed the vote of thanks while K C Rajesh compered the programme.
Highlights:
Navodaya has 26,000 SHGs which comprise of 2,53,000 members
72% are women
90% of the women were present on the occasion
A media center has been set up under the leadership of Shruthanjan at the venue, while local TV channels ‘Namma Kudla’ and ‘V4’ relayed the live coverage of the event