Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Apr 4: "Although the goods that help people to lead a more luxurious life have become parts of the peoples’ lives more than ever before, they cannot be considered as the yardstick of progress or development," argued retired head of Mangalore University history department Dr Surendra Rao.

He was speaking after inaugurating the University Grants Commission-sponsored national seminar on 'Achievement of India as a country during the last 60 years,' organized at Besant Evening College in the city on Thursday April 2.

"In the last 60 years, there has been a sea change in the sectors like industry, information technology and education. Television sets and phones have come to the homes of commoners. These indicate that the country has progressed, but integrated development continues to remain in speeches alone. There is a need to retrospect on this aspect," he opined.

The government, rather than bragging about the development it has achieved during the last 100 days, never thinks about the 100 invaluable days it has lost. Agriculture, which was a way of life in the past, is driving people to commit suicides. In this background, the talk of green revolution appears absurd and ridiculous, he stated.

However, he expressed satisfaction about the continuing democratic values in the country although influenced by caste and religious considerations,  as compared to several other countries where elections are not held or values have deeply eroded.

College principal Sulochana Rao welcomed. President of the College governing council Kudpi Jagadish Shenoy presided. Convener Nagoor Narayan Shenoy was present.