DHARWAD: Vivek Rai, vice-chancellor, Hampi Kannada University, has stressed the need for uniform growth in the social, economical and cultural fields in order to bring about overall development of the State.

He was delivering the "Prof. S.S. Basavanal Memorial Foundation Lecture" on "Karnataka In Future" at the Karnatak University here on Monday evening.

Disproportionate growth had given rise to discontentment in various places across the State especially in North Karnataka, which is an alarming sign. It was disheartening to note that even after fifty years of unification of the State, regional imbalance was increasing day-by-day, he said. Dr. Rai pointed out that it was a dangerous development that only few regions and sections of the society were getting the benefits of unification of the State.

Most of the villages in the State have been deprived of basic infrastructure and educational and medical services. The rural masses are forced to approach hi-tech hospitals in the urban areas paying exorbitant fees for getting quality medical treatment, he said. Mr. Rai said the development based on the model of Western countries benefited only a few sections of the society and was totally misleading.

Job opportunities

Companies that invest huge amounts of money providing only few jobs are taking away the economical liberty and job opportunities of majority of the people. There was no move to provide alternative employment resulting in making the life of villagers worsening, he added.

He underscored the need for people of North Karnataka to put in concerted efforts to wipe out the regional imbalance. S.K. Saidapur, vice-chancellor, Karnatak University spoke. Organising secretary A.S. Subramanya introduced the guests. Registrar (Evaluation) proposed a vote of thanks.

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