Mangalore: Democracy has Enabled Rapid Progress in Country - D H Shankaramurthy

Mangalore: Democracy has Enabled Rapid Progress in Country - D H Shankaramurthy

Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (NM)

Mangalore, Jul 7: "Democratic system of governnance has enabled rapid development in our country, unlike in countries ruled by autocratic governments. Parliament and legislative assemblies are where developmental activities are discussed and debated thoroughly," said D H Shankaramurthy, chairman of Karnataka state legislative council.

Delivering the inaugural address during the one-day seminar on '60 years of Karnataka Legislative Assembly' organized by the department of political science of St Agnes (Autonomous) College here on Saturday July 7, he lauded the management for hosting such a programme.

Citing Hindu Succession (Karnataka Amendment) Act-1994, Shankaramurthy said that a healthy debate on pros and cons of the Act was done in the assembly before its implementation in the state. "It is possible only in a democratic country which has given an opportunity to voice individual opinion," he said.

Acknowledging the shortcomings in politics, Shankaramurthy said that the democratic system is the best foundation for rapid development and economic progress of the country.

Lauding the initiative of the College political science department for being the only one to celebrate 60 years of Karnataka Legislative Assembly, U T Khadar, MLA said that students should also take up politics with the desire to build a strong nation.

Shakunthala Shetty, former MLA of Puttur and Mallika Prasad, MLA, Puttur were felicitated on the occasion for their achievements in the political field.

Dr M Prem D’Souza, principal, St Agnes College presided over the ceremony.

Yogish Bhat, deputy speaker, Karnataka legislative assembly will preside over the valedictory ceremony and Siddharamaiah, leader of opposition will deliver the valedictory address.

The programme will consist of three sessions. Resource person Kota Srinivas Poojary, MLC will speak on 'Vidhana Sabha - the Temple of Democracy' and V R Sudarshan, former chairman MLC will speak on 'Outstanding parliamentarians of Karnataka Vidhana Sabha'. There will be a panel discussion on 'People's Expectations from Vidhana Sabha' by Dr Dayanada Naik, Xavier D’Souza and Chandranath M, professors of the department of political science.