Kerala - Kottayam   

Call to ensure equality of opportunity for all

IN STEP: A view of the Independence Day parade held at Thekkinkad Maidan in Thrissur on Wednesday.

KOTTAYAM: Transport Minister Mathew T. Thomas has called for exploiting fruits of the great strides the nation has made in the area of science and technology to alleviate the miseries of rural India. There is still a chasm of difference between the rural Indian realities and the new India we are striving to build. Unless the fruits of scientific and technological developments are brought to the doorsteps of the rural India, we would not be able to realise the comprehensive development of society.

The Minister was speaking after receiving salute at the Independence Day celebrations organised by the district authorities here on Wednesday.

Stressing the role of the youth in nation-building, Mr. Thomas said the need of the hour was to ensure equality of opportunity for all sections of society.

The Minister cautioned against the treaties being entered into with colonial powers and said no one should be allowed to trade off the hard-won freedom of the nation. The colonial power came to India not as conquerors but in the guise of traders, he reminded.

Thomas Chazhikkadan, V.N. Vasavan (both MLAs), District Collector Sharmila Mary Thomas and Superintendent of Police S. Sreejith participated in the celebrations. Contingents of local police, Armed Reserve Police, Women Police, Excise, NCC, Scouts and Guides and band sets from various schools in the town participated in the ceremonial parade.

The Chief Minister’s Police Medals were distributed on the occasion. The award for the best police platoon was bagged by the Kottayam Armed Reserve Police. Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Vadavathur, received the first place in NCC (Junior) section and Mount Carmel Girls Senior Secondary School, Kanjikuzhy, took the top position among Guides section.

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