Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, May 10: "The people of the coastal region are intelligent and talented. We must create an atmosphere where they can find employment locally. Peace must return here. A spirit of brotherhood should be instilled among people. Through development works, let us rewrite history in the coastal belt," said deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar.
He was speaking at the 'Rajata Sambhrama 2025' (silver jubilee celebrations) of Navodaya Self-Help Groups held at Bangra Kuloor in Mangaluru on Saturday, May 10.
"I had lit the inaugural lamp for this initiative 25 years ago when I was the cooperation minister in the cabinet of S M Krishna. That small flame lit then has illuminated the lives of lakhs of women and continues to burn brightly.
"Women are the eyes of a family. They must be empowered economically. It was during Krishna's government that we launched the Stree Shakti scheme with this vision. Rajendra Kumar has served the coastal region as a cooperative leader without expecting any political post. With a commitment to serve mothers and the people, he established the Navodaya Charitable Trust," he said.
"I too began my public life in the cooperative sector. Later, I contested elections, became an MLA, then cooperation minister, and now stand before you as the deputy chief minister," he added.
"In no other region like Dakshina Kannada and Udupi do people repay bank and cooperative loans with such discipline. People here uphold their word. I have great faith and confidence in these districts. The people here are educated and wise. This land has produced the highest number of graduates and is blessed with the most number of banks in the country. You must uphold this legacy," he said.
"Talented people from this region are going abroad for employment. Educated youth are the strength of our state. I have asked all my MLA colleagues to work toward ensuring they get jobs locally after completing their education," he noted.
"This land must be peaceful. People of all religions must live with a sense of brotherhood. No matter the religion, the principle is one. Even if names differ, God is one. All forms of worship reflect one devotion. Actions may differ, but dedication is one. God has many names. A mother’s memory is the root of love. A teacher’s memory is the source of knowledge. Remembering God is the source of devotion. These three – mother, teacher, and God – are the roots of humanity, and humanity is the path to salvation. We must see humanity in everyone. Women must be empowered economically, which will in turn strengthen the family in both financial and educational terms. Rajendra Kumar believes in this too," he said.
"I have great faith in women and youth. We have launched guarantee schemes focusing on them. Women in this region repay family loans with dignity through schemes like Gruha Lakshmi. We are providing free government bus travel, 200 units of free electricity, and 10 kg rice per person. We are committed to these schemes and to repaying the debt of the public trust," he affirmed.
"Rajendra Kumar and his team have served the people without seeking power, and in doing so, they have created history. Birth is free, death is certain. What we do in between defines us. They have lit a lamp in the lives of women, and on behalf of the government, I extend heartfelt congratulations to them," he said.
Rs 3 crore for soldiers’ welfare: Dr M N Rajendra Kumar
Founder of Navodaya Grameena Vikas Charitable Trust and president of SCDCC Bank, Sahakara Ratna Dr M N Rajendra Kumar announced a grant of Rs 3 crore for the welfare of soldiers defending the nation.
Speaking during the inaugural session of the ‘Rajata Sambhrama’ celebration, he said, “Our soldiers are fighting fearlessly at the borders against terrorism. Along with our prayers for their strength, we will contribute Rs 3 crore towards their development.”
Navodaya SHGs expansion announced
Continuing his address, Dr Rajendra Kumar said, “Navodaya Self-Help Groups have created a platform where women grow alongside men. It has demonstrated the true power of women. Through these SHGs, we will empower women to become even more self-reliant. We also plan to expand these groups to a couple more districts.”
“Thirty years ago, when I became president of SCDCC Bank, women hardly stepped out of their homes. Determined to make them self-reliant like men, we formed Navodaya SHGs 25 years ago. It was launched in Karkala jointly by then cooperation minister D K Shivakumar, Dharmasthala dharmadhikari Dr D Veerendra Heggade, and myself. What began in just two districts has now spread across nine districts and has become a source of support for lakhs of families,” he concluded.