KADAPA : District Collector G. Asok Kumar on Tuesday favoured an integrated hostel concept to root out casteism right from childhood and promote co-existence among students belonging to various castes and creed.

Addressing the anniversary celebrations of Kadapa District Inter-Caste Couples' Welfare Association here, he said Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy accepted his proposal at the recent Collectors' conference. Mr. Kumar suggested dropping of surnames prefixing names, which depict caste identity.

Call for change

The practice of constructing SC and ST hostels should give way to integrated hostel concept, wherein children of all castes residing within a radius of 10 km could be enrolled, the Collector stated.

On literacy promotion, he said total literacy in Kerala helped people gain awareness of health, sanitation and other vital aspects, he said.

Lauding inter-caste couples for getting married with courage despite opposition from parents and relatives, he advised them to live together for life overcoming hurdles. Lamenting alarming growth in divorce cases, he said the importance of marriage institution, which was under stress, and joint family concept, which prevailed in India, should be comprehended. He promised preference to inter-caste couples in allotment of houses.

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