From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Academy

Bengaluru, Sep 18: The ideology and thinking of former Chief Minister D Devaraj Urs was very much relevant in the present circumstances beset with social and political evils, said Karnataka’s Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister H K Patil in Belagavi on Sunday.

He was inaugurating a two-day symposium on the thoughts of Devaraj Urs and media jointly organised by the Karnataka Media Academy, State Backward Classes Department, Devaraj Urs centenary celebrations committee, State Information and Public Relations Department and the Belagavi district administration.

The minister said Urs’ thinking was the right medicine to bring the present generation of political leaders, especially the youngsters, who do not have any social moorings or concern for the less privileged sections of society. The former Chief Minister was a very progressive and committed leader, who had asserted that the border district of Belagavi was an inalienable part of Karnataka and will always remain so.

Patil said Urs had tried his best to improve the lot of all sections of society, especially the poor and neglected, and had implemented the most progressive land reforms legislation. "Urs strongly propounded that political leaders must come up through hard work, grit and dedication and not on the strength of money, publicity or muscle power," the minister.

Social Welfare Minister H Anjaneya felt period of Urs’ rule was a golden era for Karnataka and he had implemented the pro-poor 20-point social welfare programmes of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi very effectively. He had given a new ray of hope to minorities and backward classes as well as Dalits, Anjaneya said.

Former Minister and MLC H M Revanna lauded Urs for implementing the Havanur Commission’s report most effectively and said present Chief Minister was emulating the example set by Urs through his various pro-poor programmes.

Congress MLC V S Ugrappa termed Urs as "Karnataka’s Lohia" and felt that the Government officers and employees, who were drawing hefty salaries and perks must not be allowed to purchase agricultural lands.

Karnataka Media Academy Chairman M Siddaraju said a comprehensive programme for imparting training to budding journalists was being prepared and would be launched by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah next month. He said youngsters keen on serving in the media sector would be provided with 10 months of training in TV and media and also provided with a monthly scholarship of Rs 10,000 for the course.

Contemporaries of Urs like former MP S P Sidnal, ex-mla M MSajjan, MLC Veeranna Mathikatti were felicitated. Former minister Satish Jarkiholi, MP Prakash Hukkeri, Belagavi zilla panchayat chairperson Asha Ihole, vice president Arun Katambale, K M Nagaraju, Ashok Pattan and many other dignitaries participated in the function.