Karnataka - Bijapur   

National integration camp concludes

Staff Correspondent

Four km-long human chain formed

BIJAPUR: Curtains came down on the national integration camp here on Thursday with a public call to rise above caste, religion and language to realise President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam's dream that India should become a developed nation by 2020.

Hundreds of schoolchildren and youths formed a four-km human chain to mark the valedictory function of the week-long programme held under the aegis of the district administration and Nehru Yuva Kendra.

In his valedictory speech, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Mohsin said the beauty of India is that the people, though belonging to different culture, languages and religions, lead a cohesive life.

Though the country is making rapid progress in science and technology, it has enough problems that need to be redressed, he said.

As many as 74,000 villages do not have access to potable water and there is electricity in over 64,000 villages, he said.

However, these anomalies can be set right if people, particularly youth who constitute half of the population, fulfil their social responsibilities, he said. If the country's abundant human resources is utilised, nothing can stop India from becoming the strongest nation, he added.

Mr. Mohsin administered the oath of national integrity consisting a 10-point pledge prepared by Mr. Kalam, to the participants.

Sholapur District Collector K.H. Govindraj said such national integration programmes are more relevant today than ever as conflicts in the name of caste, religion, language and territory are on the rise.

Bagalkot Deputy Commissioner K.S. Prabhakar said Indian culture and values are based on the theme of unity in diversity.

Besides troupes from different parts of the State, artistes from Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Goa, Orissa, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh staged cultural programmes on the occasion.

District Youth Coordinator D. Dayanand; Shiva Mestri, officer, f Directorate of Field Publicity; District Sports Officer M.P. Maranur and a few others were felicitated on the occasion.

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