The Hindu : Tackle poverty, inequity, says Governor

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 09, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka

Tackle poverty, inequity, says Governor

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, FEB. 8. "Forty two per cent of children in the country never get to see a school in their lives and many of those who get into school, drop out. Only 3.9 per cent of Indians have access to basic amenities," R. Balasubramaniam, president, Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement, H.D. Kote, and member, Advisory Board of Vishwa Seva Educational Trust (V-Set), has said.

Speaking at the launch of V-Set's activities in Karnataka here on Sunday, Dr. Balasubramaniam said though crores of rupees were earmarked by the Government for poverty alleviation, there did not seem to be any equity with no signs of improvement in the status of the poor. The aim of V-Set is to promote value education in institutions and to recognise individuals who serve society. The trust draws inspiration from the theme of "universal love and service" propagated by Swami Ramdas of Anandashram in Kerala. The Governor, T.N. Chaturvedi, symbolically inaugurated the trust's activities by presenting certificates to two of the 60 children who were recognised by V-Set for imbibing the values of sharing, compassion, and helping others.

The two children were Shailaja from H.D. Kote, who helps get firewood for her school which is in a remote area, and Harsha from Bangalore who helps a mentally retarded child in his class to go through his daily activities.

The other children were given certificates by the dignitaries present on the occasion.

Mr. Chaturvedi said these days there was dichotomy in what was said and done.

India might be making progress in certain areas but there was still poverty, inequity, and corruption.

"The dazzle of our achievements is trying to hide the shadows that lie beneath," he said.

The efforts of V-Set were socially significant as the organisation promoted the importance of value education among teachers.

It was important to catch them young so that they grew up to be enlightened citizens with social responsibility, he added.

Swami Muktananda of Anandashram and founder-trustee of V-Set said the trust would work with the Government to promote value education among children in schools.

Teachers were being trained under the Upadhyaya Sangamam programme to inculcate values in young students.

Some 850 teachers had already been trained in regions where V-Set was working, he said. The V-Set was formed with the aim of spreading the message of community values and commitment to society.

Vijaya Ramachandran and V. Mani were honoured by the Governor for their service to society.

M.N. Venkatachalaiah, former Chief Justice of India and Chairman of the Advisory Board for V-Set, and member of the board, Gururaj Karajagi, and the former Director of the Central Bureau of Investigaton (CBI), D.R. Karthikeyan, were present.

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