Mangalore: Social Workers from Across India Come Together for 'Spandana'

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (AF)
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje

Mangalore, Feb 22: 'Our approach to problems today is totally different from that which was in the 1970s. Today we are planning to have some of sort of an industry without even bothering to see whether it is eco-friendly or not,' lamented D B Chandre Gowda, former law and parliamentary affairs minister.

He was speaking after inauguarating 'Spandana 2008' an annual national-level fest of School of Social Work, Roshni Nilaya held here on Friday February 22.

Continuing on the same note, Gowda said that when he was a member of the state legislative assembly in 1971-72, Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Limited was planned which provided a means of livelihood to 15,000 families. 'Our only concern was that the families should setttle and get good jobs.'

Talking on the adverse effects of development, he gave the example of Bangalore and said that in former chief minster S M Krishna's regime IT and biotech companies made their way in to Bangalore. The move did pay rich dividends in the form of hefty salaries but today Bangalore has become so congested and polluted that it is impossible to live in that city. Bangalore roads have a capacity of 10 lac vehicles but there are 30 lac vehicles plying its roads, he added.

Lauding Rashtrakavi Kuvempu, Gowda said that he was a nature poet who could identify hundreds of varities of birds and tress. 'We have reserved over 5,000 acres of forest area in Kuvempu's name,' he said.

K V R Tagore, AGDP and commissioner, department of information was the chief guest. The programme was presided over by Dr Jacinta D'Souza, principal of the college.

Delgates and social work students from across the country are taking part in the three-day event which began on Thursday February 21. There will be paper presentations and seminars on various topics related to social work during the course of the fest. The valedictory will be held on Saturday February 23.