Mangalore: Brain drain affecting country's economy - Minister H K Patil

Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (VM)

Mangalore, Sep 16: "The best of country’s talents are drained out as youth travel to other countries for job. Our talent is available for other countries at a very cheap price and this adversely affects our economy. To overcome this, there is a need for youth to serve the country," said minister for rural development H K Patil.

He addressed the gathering after inaugurating the ‘Viveka Samsmarana’, a series of programmes organized by Ramakrishna Math on the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda on Monday September 16.

Quoting the words of Swami Vivekananda, minister Patil said to the youth, "Be whatever you want to be in life, but most importantly, be patriotic. In all his speeches and letters, Vivekanada spoke about the youth. He placed his trust on the youth to build a strong nation, but the sad part is we have not lived up to his expectations."

He further added, "The country’s dream is in your hands. Experiment with your talents in the country rather than migrating to other countries." He also lauded Ramakrishna Math for taking the initiative to propagate the message of Swami Vivekanada among the youth.

"The message given by Swami Vivekananda is apt to the present society," he added.

Swami Jithakamananda, president of Ramakrishna Math in his keynote address called Swami Vivekananda 'a great son of the nation'. "As said by Swami Vivekananda, he put his hopes on the youth of the country, which means he wanted youth, who are clean hearted and determined, to lead the country," he said.

"Swami Vivekananda said education should build character, intellect should expand and it should also make one aware of one’s duty. People who have read the life of Swami Vivekananda have witnessed a change in their life," he added.

Swami Veereshnanda Saraswati from Tumkur Ramakrishna Ashram, Sushil Chandra M, general manager (HRD & CSR) MRPL, Prof Raghottam Rao K, Tulsi Maddini, CEO of zilla panchayat, Devraj, director of SDM among others were present.

Govt has fulfilled more than half its promises - H K Patil

Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (DV)

Mangalore, Sep 16: As soon government came to power it launched various programmes like Anna Bhagya and Ksheera Bhagya schemes, and gave importance to provision of clean drinking water by establishing more than 1000 units throughout the state. The government also waived bank loans of minorities and SC/STs," said rural development and Panchayat Raj minister H K Patil. 

"Altogether, after coming to power, government has implemented more than half of its promises mentioned in the manifesto prior to the elections," he added.

Addressing a press meet at the district Congress office here on Monday September 16, he also said that as part of rural development project government plans to build toilets for 56 lac families. "Already, 1000 toilets are under construction," he added.

"During the tenure of the previous government in Karnataka 95% of ward meetings and 70% gram panchayat meetings did not happen. The present government is trying to improve the speed of work in panchayats. The government has insisted on hoisting of the national flag in all the panchayats," he said.

He also said that there is confusion regarding forms 9 and 11, and the same will be discussed at a meeting to be held on September 21.

Speaking on Rajiv Gandhi Chaitanya scheme, Patil said it is a programme aimed at creating employment opportunities for youth in rural villages by providing them training on technical skills. "In this scheme the government wishes to provide employment opportunities to 2 lac youths, among which one lac youth will be specially trained in dairy, pottery and poultry. The programme aims to bring the youth who are deprived of opportunities to mainstream. Unemployed youths will be trained through short term courses of 45 days or one month," he said.

When media persons asked him to comment on the proposed Yettinahole project, H K Patil said, "As of now I do not have any information regarding the project. This is the first time I have been asked this question. It was not discussed in the floor of the Assembly either. I too have doubts over the issue. So give me time, let me study this project and then answer you."