From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Jan 12: Swami Vivekananda Yuva Kendras in all gram panchayats, taluks, districts and state level will be established in Karnataka as part of the New Youth Policy, which is being unveiled by the State Government shortly.
This was announced by Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar at a function to mark the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Swami Vivekananda in Bangalore on Saturday.
The sport policy would be announced soon after consultations with sportspersons and experts in the field, the Chief Minister said.
Swami Vivekananda was a great patriot, thinker, spiritual leader and lover of humanity.
Recalling contributions of Swami Vivekananda to human values, the Chief Minister said the saint relentlessly worked to bring social and economic equality among all section of the society. His engagement with the country’s problems made him a social philosopher, Shettar said.
Pointing out that Karnataka, which had framed policies pertaining to different fields and sectors, Shettar said the State lacked a comprehensive Sports Policy which was very essential.
Karnataka has already brought Karnataka State Youth Policy 2012 to guide the youth to become economically self-independent and wanted to come out with a Sports Policy too.
Under the proposed Sport Policy, the State Government would establish Swami Vivekananda Yuva Kendras at the gram panchayat, taluk, district and state level which would would not only propagate teachings of the saint but also undertake various activities for the benefit of youth, he said.
In his speech at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago on September 11, 1893, the saint addressed the Americans as “Sisters and brothers of America” which acclaimed him fame all over the world.
Swami Vivekananda founded Ramakrishna Mission on May 1, 1897, Shettar said pointing out that Ramakrishna Missions set up in Bangalore, Mysore, Belguam and Dharwad have been actively functioning and undertaking various social activities.
The followers of Vivekananda propagated Vedanta philosophy, Shettar said many from western world were influenced by the saint’s life and message.
His teaching bridged the gap between west and the east and popularised India’s rich cultural heritage.
Several leaders, including Jamshedji N Tata, were influenced by Swamy Vivekananda’s principles and contributed to the society in various forms, Shettar said.
State Youth Services and Sports Minister Apachhu Ranjan said Swami Vivekananda was a guiding spirit for the country’s youth.
He said the sport policy would be announced after studying sport policies formulated by various countries and states in India.
Senior BJP leader H N Ananth Kumar and P C Mohan, both Lok Sabha members from Bangalore, and Congress MLA Roshan Baig attended the programme and flagged off a Yuva Jatha.
Nearly thousand students wearing ‘T’ shirt bearing Swamy Vivekananda’s photograprah and a cap participated in the Jatha.
The State Primary and Secondary Education and Youth Services and Sport departments organised the programme and freely distributed ‘T’ shirts and caps to those who participated in the Jatha.
CM Welcomes SC Verdict on Upa Lokayukta
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the function, the Chief Minister welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision on the Upa Lokayukta and contended that the verdict brought clarity into the matter.
The verdict, he said justified the State Government’s stance that the Governor can appoint the Lokayukta and Upa Lokayukta only on the advice tendered by the Chief Minister.
The cabinet would take a decision soon on the appointment of candidates for both offices, he said.