Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (KM/RD)
Pics Dayanand Kukkaje
 
Mangalore, Oct 8: City's newly-elected corporators have the moral duty to return their felicitations by their good performance during their term, said S Ajith Kumar Hegde, joint commissioner, Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) here, on Monday October 8.

He was delivering the inaugural address at the felicitation of the newly-elected corporators and interaction on Mangalore Vision-2012, organized in Sahodaya Hall, Balmatta in the city, by Meridian College.

It is a healthy sign that women have been elected as corporators in large numbers in the local body elections, since they are more dedicated and committed in their work than men. They are known to discharge their duties to the best of their ability with perseverance throughout their term, he added.

Enfranchisement under the Constitution of India is not only the right of the citizens, but also a responsibility. It has become a routine for some voters to disappear at the time of election, and then blame the politicians or corporators later, said Monappa Bhandary, president, BJP District Committee, DK.
 
The press reports stated that the average voter turnout was 65 percent during the recent civic body polls.  The question arises why the rest of 35 percent have not accommodated their duty of casting votes in their daily schedule. The situation demands enactment of a law on compulsory voting.  Moreover, it is always advisable for sensible citizens to cast their precious votes, he suggested.
 
The voters have elected more youth in the local body election held recently than in the past.Hence, young corporators’ have the golden opportunity to prove their mettle. They have a significant role to play in improving the infrastructure and extend basic amenities. Mangalore is a beautiful and clean city, which is advantageous for the corporators and poses them a challenge in their drive to make the city one among the most beautiful cities across the world, he recommended.
 
Democracy attains real meaning when elected representatives mingle with voters in their electorates.  However, the democracy would lose its meaning, when politicians keep themselves away from common people, declared Prof P L Dharma, department of Political Science, Mangalore University, the chief guest.
 
All corporators would find themselves busy with their own responsibilities.  Once elected, a corporator no longer represents his political party alone, but he represents his ward. Mangalore will see tremendous developments in the next five years.  Hence the corporators have the tough task of directing these developments, emphasized Dr Joby E C, principal, Meridian College, in his presidential address.