Pics: Sunil Bekal
Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady (SP)
Beltangady, Nov 13: Addressing the gathering after inaugurating the state level exhibition organized at Dharmasthala as part of the ongoing Lakshadeepotsava on Thursday November 12, Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat (ZP) president, Santosh Kumar Bhandary, said that the government needs to plan and execute specific plans aimed at developing the rural areas.
He felt that in spite of giving priority to agriculture-related activities in the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, it has not had the desired impact in the district, as the rural people are engaging themselves in other activities like tile factories, fishing, cashew factories, bidi rolling etc. Because of this, agricultural activities have not found favour with the youths of the district, he felt.
Bhandary said that various works valued at about four crore rupees are being carried out through the ZP in connection with Vishwa Tulu Sammelan scheduled to be held in December this year.
Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari, Dr D Veerendra Heggade, who presided over the function, said that the exhibition has provided an opportunity for the rural people to see the things available in big cities and to buy them, if they so desire. “The exhibition provides feast to all the sensory organs like eyes, ears, tongue etc. The exhibition also provides a glimpse of the progress of the country being achieved through financial advancement of self help groups,” he explained.
SDM Education Society vice-president, Prof S Prabhakar, was present. Prof B A Kumara Hegde, presented the programme. Dr B P Sampat Kumar proposed vote of thanks. K N Janardan, executive director, Rural Development and Self Employment Training Institute (RUDSET), welcomed.
The exhibition houses 170 stalls put up by banks, LIC, various cooperative institutions and government departments, educational institutions, RUDSET Bazar, vehicle dealers, agricultural equipments, earthenware, books, games etc.
The inauguration of the exhibition was done in a unique way, by removing the hurdles (Unigolu) of bamboo sticks placed across poles erected on two sides, which is normally used by rural people to block movement of cattle.