Karnataka - Bellary   

`Inequality and corruption are hurdles in country's progress'

Staff Correspondent

Three-day State-level ABVP conference begins in Bellary

IN NATION'S INTERESTS: H.R. Sudarshan, former head of the Task Force Committee on Health, inaugurating the 26th State-level conference of ABVP in Bellary on Friday. Pompanagowda (third from left), chairman of the conference reception committee, and Lakshman (third from right), ABVP secretary, are also seen.

BELLARY: H.R. Sudarshan, former Head of the Task Force on Health, has said that inequality, exploitation of women and nature and rampant corruption are the major hurdles affecting the growth and development of the nation.

Speaking after inaugurating the 26th three-day State-level conference of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishat (ABVP) here on Friday, Dr. Sudarshan said that although the country had been making good progress, as far as economic growth was concerned, much more could have been done. "By 2020, the country's economic growth is expected to be tremendous and the gross domestic product was showing an upward trend but at the same time, poverty was on the rise and corruption was rampant.

The country, with abundant natural and human resources, could have achieved even more but for hurdles such as casteism, exploitation, lack of value-based politics and rampant corruption in various departments of the government, including health," he said.

Stating that the people, especially the youth, should strive for the eradication of the hurdles, Dr. Sudarshan underlined the need to ensure that the benefits of the welfare schemes announced by the Government reached the needy.

"Value-based politics, sustainable development and the needy getting benefited by the welfare schemes would help the country progress and develop," he said.

Commending the ABVP for taking up the cause of the youth, he exhorted the youths to follow the principles of Swami Vivekananda to bring in transformation in the system.

Lakshman, ABVP secretary, was of the view that appeasing the minorities, the failure to prevent infiltration of Bangladeshis was a matter of grave concern as he felt that it would affect the integrity of the country.

While welcoming the move of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government at the Centre to give thrust to higher education in the 11th Five Year Plan, Mr. Lakshman took exception to the move to commercialise education by way of privatising the sector.

He said that ABVP had been opposing all those moves that would prove detrimental to national development.

"The ABVP will continue to serve as a social watch dog and help the country prosper," he added.

Pompanagowda, chairman of the Conference Reception Committee, who presided over the inaugural function, called upon the youth to prevent "brain drain".

"Youths, after completing their higher studies abroad, should return and serve the people here. "It is your bounden duty to serve your own people and motherland," he said.

Satyanarayan of the State ABVP spoke. Prabhudev Kappagal, State unit general secretary, Maltesh Bhat, convenor, were present.

Bhimsen, senior ABVP activist, welcomed the gathering. Devanand, secretary of the Reception Committee, proposed a vote of thanks. Over 800 ABVP activists from all over the State are participating in the conference.

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`Inequality and corruption are hurdles in country's progress'

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