From Vinay Pais
For Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (MSP)

Kundapur, Jun 5: Veteran journalist and former chairman of Prasar Bharati M V Kamath exhorted the concerned to make the kind of courses and training being imparted at 'Namma Bhoomi' available all over the country to achieve overall development of the nation. Namma Bhoomi is a rural development institute working for the welfare of rural population.

He was delivering the  keynote address at the convocation function organized by 'Namma Bhoomi'  here on Wednesday June 4 for presenting degree certificates to the students of the institute. Gandhiji always pursued the path of restraint in his fight for freedom and used the ordinary spindle, 'Charaka' to spread the message of simple living, self sufficiency and also to inspire people to fight for freedom. Now, 'Namma Bhoomi' has been striving to bring into practice the principles Gandhiji preached us long back.

Agreeing that India was poor in the past, Kamath observed that poverty continues to stalk the country even now, after even half a century since attaining independence. No doubt, there has been improvement in things like supply of electricity, roads and education. But the end is not in sight for the sufferings of a huge chunk of India's population.

'We have been at our wits end to find a proper solution for the problem of poverty. I am glad that 'Namma Bhoomi' has found the right solution for poverty alleviation,' said M V Kamath. He urged the outgoing eighty graduates not to forget but to follow what is taught and be a model for the others to emulate.

Raju Poojary, president, Udupi zilla panchayath, presided over the function. Varadesh Heregange, senior lecturer, Manipal Institute of Communication also spoke on the occasion.  Damodar Acharya, secretary of the institute, delivered introductory speech. Shivananda Shetty, coordinator of Namma Bhoomi welcomed the audience. Institute assistant coordinator Umesh Mallya proposed the vote of thanks. Two of the outgoing graduates, Revana Siddappa and Amita shared their experiences during the training period. At the end, the students of the institute gave an impressive demonstration of Yogasanas.