Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Mar 10: Addressing a symposium on ‘Pub Culture and Social Health’ in the city on Monday March 9 by the Karnataka University Journalism Students Club and the department of electronic media of Bangalore University, state higher education minister Arvind Limbavali revealed that the union government's report puts the percentage of teachers from the state addicted to liquor and other substances, at 85. "We will be taking suitable steps to control the situation," he assured.

"If those expected to explain about the ill-affects of drinking are themselves addicted, how can we expect them to take moral science classes? The teachers who impart to the students the importance of ethics and morals, should themselves have good character," he commented. The minister also spelt out plans to ban operation of bars and pubs within a radius of 100 metres from schools and colleges.

The state had organized anti-terrorism awareness rallies for the students in the state for controlling organized crimes. This was a model for other states, and many states have sought details of the programme, he described. While condemning the acts of the Sri Rama Sene and Pramod Mutalik in taking law into their hands, he called upon the students to properly insulate themselves against the ill influence of the western culture and globalization on them.

Rajyasbha member and retired Justice Rama Jois in his address lamented about the fact that no programmes were so far chalked out in the last 11 five-year plans for transforming the people into good citizens.

Scholar Prof G K Govind Rao called upon for enforcing a ban on pubs and bars. He questioned the propriety of the chief minister acting like a helpless person in banning them. He also denounced the action of Mutalik and called upon those speaking about dress code, to remove the sculptures standing in Halebeedu and Belur.

Bangalore University vice chancellor Dr N Prabhudev addressed the gathering. Various leaders and dignitaries were present.