Mangalore: Coast Basks in Elation as Veerappa Moily gets Berth in Union Cabinet
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, May 23: The people of the coast exulted in unbridled happiness as their own Veerappa Moily took oath as a minister in the union ministry on the evening of Friday May 22. Even though he fought and won the Lok Sabha seat this time from the distant Chickballapur constituency, the news that he bagged the ministership at the centre brought more cheers to the coastal people than the citizens of Chickballapur constituency, because Moily is the worthy son of the coast, his roots are here and he has all along, selflessly worked for the welfare of the people here, without being restricted by barriers of party, religious or caste affiliations.
Moily has been all along, dreaming to develop the coastal region since his young age. His achievements are particularly worth appreciating for the fact that he was neither moulded nor guided by any godfathers. Having been born in a family from a backward caste, his sheer hard work, efficiency, commitment and sincerity have always earned him the love and affection of the top bosses in the Congress Party. The fact that various responsibilities he was entrusted with, like state ministership, opposition leader in assembly, chief minister, chairman of the state Tax Reforms Commission and chairman of Central Administrative Reforms Commission were discharged by him ably and to the satisfaction of all concerned, have catapulted him to the present eminent position. The people here know, that Moily, representing Chickballapur, has nurtured many dreams for them and that he will fulfill them in addition to putting forth his best efforts to fulfill their own aspirations, in addition to taking care of his own constituency.
From among the three influential national level leaders the undivided Dakshina Kannada district has produced, Moily perhaps stands next only to Oscar Fernandes as far as eminence, influence and closeness to the corridors of power at the centre are concerned.
The fact that Moily was offered the chairmanship of Central Administrative Commission in spite of his consecutive losses from Mangalore Lok Sabha constituency, speaks volumes about the faith the top leadership of the country has on his knowledge and capacity. He never disappointed those who handed to him various responsibilities, and came out with flying colours in this post too, by submitting various recommendations which if implemented, have the potential of improving the administrative efficiency by leaps and bounds.
Moily, who rose from the grass root level, became a minister in the year 1974 and held different portfolios. When he became the state's chief minister, he gave impetus to many reforms and development projects. IT Park in Bangalore and combined entrance test for professional courses, are his significant contributions. Moily also took keen interest in setting up new universities like Hampi University, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Vishweshwaraiah Technological University, Gulbarga University and Karnataka Open University. He also is credited with giving birth to Tulu Academy, Kodava Academy and Konkani Academy.
Moily stands tall from among a few of the politicians of the country, who have keen, multiple interests in varied subjects like economics, literature, politics, social service, education and other fields.
Moily was born on January 12, 1940 at Marpady in Moodbidri. After getting primary education in Moodbidri, he secured his degree from Mangalore Government College. He earned his law degree through Bangalore government Law College.
Moily, who started his profession as a lawyer in 1967, was known to throb to the pains of the poor and the downtrodden. After he fought and won from Karkala assembly seat, he has never looked back. Moily, who has written several authoritative works, has also won many awards. Mangalore University has conferred the doctorate on Moily.
Celebrations were also witnessed at Moodbidri, his native place. Moodbidri MLA Abhaychandra Jain, while expressing his joy at the fact that his political mentor has risen to the status of the union minister, has hailed Moily for announcing his love for his birth place, by taking oath as 'Moodbidri Veerappa Moily'.
Congress workers and fans of Moily burst crackers in front of the Congress office in Moodbidri. Former municipal president H Premanand Prabhu, ex municipal vice president Suresh Kotian, current municipal vice president Koragappa and others were in the forefront of celebrations. Reports coming in from Karkala said, MLA H Gopal Bhandary, block Congress president Avelin Louis, general secretary Rajesh Shenoy etc., led the people who celebrated the success of their leader by bursting of crackers.
Udupi district Congreess president Gafoor has conveyed his best wishes to Veerappa Moily for a successful stint at the union cabinet.