Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore
Mangalore, Sep 13: District-level world literacy day – 2013 organized by directorate of Loka Shikshana Zilla Saaksharata Samiti, Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat, Jana Shikshana trust, Apna desh and other organization was observed at Nethravathi auditorium, zilla panchayat on Friday September 13.
The programme was inaugurated by health and family welfare minister U T Khadar.
Minister Khadar in his inaugural address said, “The aim of the government in implementing various systems and projects is mainly to build a strong society and to uplift backward people. For rural areas to develop, literacy is important aspect through which one can know the good and bad things in life.”
Khadar lauded various organizations which work in this direction and asked them to continue.
“Elected representatives should work for the progress of the society starting from gram panchayat officials till the top level wherein they should also see to it that the government projects for people are implemented properly, “ said minister Khadar.
“Various states lagging behind in literacy rate also rank low in terms of development. Dakshina Kannada district has grown mainly because majority of the people here are literate,” he added. He asked various elected representatives and organizations to hold such programmes so that people are brought to mainstream through literacy.
Various people who were present during the programme shared their experiences on how literacy helped them in their growth.
Yashoda from Beltangady taluk said that she learnt a lot from literacy committee which in turn benefitted her family. She also encourages other people to do the same.
Mungli Koraga from Miyar in Karkala said, “By involving in literacy movement, I quit drinking 28 years back. Now I earn well and my family life has improved.”
Women presented folk dance, their singing talent on the occasion.
Zilla panchayat president Koragappa Nayak, vice president Rithesh Shetty, Sheena Shetty, zilla panchayat members Chandrakala, Sathish Kumpala, Balakrishna Suvarna, N S Karim, M S Kamath, Santhosh Kumar Rai among others were present.
Although many ministers were invited to attend the celebration, most of the elected leaders including district in-charge minister B Ramanath Rai, MLA J R Lobo, former chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda, fisheries minister Abhayachandra Jain, MLA S Angara, MLA Vasanth Bangera, MLA Shakuntala Shetty, MLA Mohiddin Bava, MLA captain Ganesh Karnik, MLA Monappa Bhandary, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel among others skipped the event.