Udupi: Thousands Pledge to Fight Terrorism as World Celebrates Love
from Divvy Kant Upadhyay
Daijiworld News Network - Udupi (GA)
Udupi, Feb 14: Close to a massive 20,000 students and teachers took part in the Anti-terror Rally held in the city on Saturday February 14 morning. Beginning at the MGM College, the 'jatha' reached the KMC Stadium at Manipal with the rally participants shouting patriotic slogans against terror.
State minister for higher education Arvind Limbavali was present along with a host of other leaders and district officials which included Manipal University Pro-Chancellor Dr HS Ballal, Taranga weekly publisher Sandhya S Pai, former vice-chancellor of Bangalore University Dr NR Shetty, DC Dr P Hemalatha, SP Pravin Pawar, local MLA K Raghupathi Bhat, BJP state president D V Sadananda Gowda and a host of other officials and coordinators.
Minster Arvind Limbavali addressing the students expressed his shock on the fact that educated youth were being implicated for terrorist activities in many cases. Keeping up the tempo of his message he expressed his displeasure on the fact that educated youth from the state were also being misled into supporting terrorism.
Manipal University Pro-Chancellor Dr HS Ballal in his address told the students to take the intiative against terrorism as they would be leading the country in future. Dr Ballal highlighted that terrorism was a 'global problem' and was not restricted to India alone. He lamented the use of modern technology and science for terrorism activities and encouraged the youth and student community to look at the brighter side by being responsible citizens. Accepting that curbing terrorism is the biggest challenge in the world today, he gave example of 'Neighbour watch' activity followed in the west and told the youngsters that being alert and vigilant at all times could perhaps help in warding off major tragedies at times. Dr Ballal also administered the oath to fight against terrorism to all gathered.
The student 'Anti-Terror' rallies are being organized by the state government across all districts in Karnataka and were announced on 12 January, birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.
Manipal Estate Officer Jay Vithal told Daijiworld that more than 20,000 students and teachers took part from 53 educational institutions other than the 20 colleges of Manipal University. The students in the rally were quite excited not just about the rally but also the hype created about Valentine's Day this year. Threats apart, red roses were sold like they are sold every year and few students could be seen wearing small red and pink hearts pinned up on their shirts to mark the day.