R B Jagadish
Daijiworld Media Network - Karkala (EP)
Karkala, Apr 7: Former Indian cricketer and ICC match referee Javagal Srinath on Thursday April 7 inaugurated the well-equipped B C Alva mega sports complex built by Nitte Educational Institutes here. The complex has been named after the late cricketer Bellipadi Chandrahasa Alva (B C Alva).
Addressing the gathering, Srinath stressed on the importance of providing adequate facilities to sportspersons and said that lack of facilities hinder the development of sports as well as sportspersons.
Lauding Nitte Institute for giving importance to both sports and academics, he said, "The Institute has built a complex that is suitable for cricket, hockey, football, basketball, kho kho, kabaddi and all other types of sports. The Institute has not only made a name for itself in academics but also played a vital role in boosting sports in the region by building this complex.
"Success comes when when sports and education go hand in hand," he added.
Former Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde laid the foundation stone for a swimming pool. "This Institute has been giving equal importance to academics and sports, and is a model for other educational institutes," he said.
Minister of sports and youth services K Abhayachandra Jain said, "The work which should have been done by the government is being done by the Institute. The complex should not be restricted to the Institute alone but should be made available to all who are interested in sports."
In his keynote address, Nitte Educational Institute chancellor N Vinay Hegde recalled his memories with B C Alva. He also praised Vishal Hegde who has been instrumental in the construction of the complex.
N R Shetty, B R Hegde, Guruprasad Adyanthaya, B C Alva’s son Ajith Alva, Dr Shantaram Shetty, Dr Ramananda Shetty, Rajendra and others were present. Pushparaj, Suresh Kumar Shetty, Gopala Krishna, Kiran Kumar, Ramachandra Nayak and Sukumar who had strived for the construction of the complex were felicitated on the occasion.
Nitte Educational Institute principal Dr Niranjan Chipnunkar welcomed. Dr Srinath Shetty introduced Javagal Srinath. Vishwanath introduced minister Abhaychandra Jain. Nitte Education Institute Registrar Yogish Hegde proposed vote of thanks. Roshan Fernandes compered the programme.
Process of uprooting Lokayukta started in 2014: Santosh Hegde
"The Karnataka state government started the process to uproot the Lokayukta in 2014 itself. With this in view, the state government refused to allow Lokayukta to prosecute several officials under the anti-corruption law. However, as it was difficult in a democratic setup where the citizens are supreme, the government had to give up its attempts to dismantle the Lokayukta," said former Karnataka Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde.
Speaking to news reporters on the sidelines of the programme held at Nitte Educational Institute on Thursday April 7, he said, "There are two important organizations in Karnataka - State Vigilance Commission and ACB. The Lokayukta was formed in 1984 by the then government. The Lokayukta police did a commendable job till around 2011.
"The ACB formed by the present government has eight IAS and KAS officials. Usually the officials in such posts are corrupt. How then will they expose corruption by officials and people representatives?" he said.