Pics: Meryick D' Silva
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, Jul 19: Buntara Yane Nadavara Mathru Sangh (R) felicitated over 500 elected representatives of the gram panchayat belonging to Bunts community from Dakshina Kannada and Udupi district at AB Shetty Convention Hall, here on Sunday July 19.
After inaugurating the occasion, former MP, Jayaprakash Hegde said, “Wining in the gram panchayat election is not easy. Gram panchayat election is the beginning of a political career. After being elected, it is the responsibility of the gram panchayat members to work for the development irrespective of the political parties they belong to. After the 73rd amendments, the local bodies have gained the strength for the local administration".
“The elected representatives have an equal amount of responsibility towards the society. It is not so easy to win the election as it was in earlier days. In the contemporary scenario, the candidate has to approach each and every individual to seek for his vote and the people who voted have the right to approach representatives for the development work. It is a responsibility of representatives to respond to people's problem”.
“If you are willing to do pro-social work for the society, it is not necessary to be political representative. If a person works for the betterment of society, even government officers will listen to him and his concern will be addressed”, he added.
Reciting CM Siddaramaiah’s words, he further said, “Honesty is the biggest achievement in politics. Though you are not in power, when you do good to people you will be identified by society. When people show love towards you in spite of not being in power, then it is a clear sign that you have won the hearts of common people”.
“Losing in an election is not a failure but we must not fail in our life. There is an opportunity for everyone but you need to wait for the opportunity. After the 73rd amendment, the power has been decentralized for the local bodies for the administration”.
On the over interference of MLAs into the functioning of Gram panchayats, Taluk Panchayat and Zilla Panchayats, he said, “Local bodies should be allowed to function independently without the interference and that is why the power has been decentralized to these bodies. Gram panchayat representatives should utilize the sanctioned grants effectively after holding the meetings in wards and panchayat level meetings for the development of the village. Representatives should hold ward and gram panchayat meetings which will be helpful to understand people’s problem and provide proper measures. A complete development of the village should be the aim. Work irrespective of political parties for the progressive and development. Attend the meetings; plan the yearly budget for the developmental work. When you do the work people will identify you”, he advised.
Speaking on the occasion, Malady Ajith Kumar Rai said, “When there was no proper connectivity, our forefathers travelled across the districts to unite and provide
education to the community and protected the culture of this land. Human relations and family system are on the decline”.
“Present day children do not attend the programmes hosted by the community. The parents should bring their children for such kinds of programmes so that they will be exposed to the various works of the community. In community, there are 40% people who still live in poverty and we should unite to uplift the down trodden”.
He also informed that the organization will hold ‘World Bunts Convention’ in coming December 25, 26 and 27.
On this occasion more than 500 gram panchayat representatives belonging to Bunt community from Dakshina Kannada and Udupi were felicitated.
Vice president Kenchanooru Somashekar Shetty,Meghanatha Shetty, chief secretary Meghanatha Shetty, treasurer Hemanatha Shetty and others were present.