By Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network—Udupi (RD/CN)
 
Udupi, Oct 2: Under the auspices of the Jana Jagrati Vedike and Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP), a training workshop for office- bearers of the Vedike was held at the Rajangan of Sri Krishna Math, here on Friday October 2.
 
Sri Sugunendrateerta Swami of Puttige Mutt inaugurated the workshop.

Speaking on the occasion, he said that the state government should stop issuing licenses to liquor shops.  “If alcohol and tobacco is banned in the country, India will soon reach the elite class of developed nations.  The government is urged to take serious note of this issue”, urged the Swamiji.
 
State home minister Dr V S Acharya released ‘Hosabelaku’, the souvenir of Jana Jagrati Vedike.  Speaking on the occasion, he said that alcohol consumption causes slow deterioration of the mental agility of an individual irrespective of what class he belongs to and destroys him fully once he is addicted. 

“The state administration has banned arrack and lotteries in 2007.  It aims to get rid of the social evil of alcohol addiction in phases”, he added.
 
Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Dharmadikari Dr D Veerendra Heggade presided over the programme.
 
MLA Raghupathy Bhat, Kaup MLA Lalaji R Mendon, town councilor Dinakar Shetty, psychiatrist Dr P V Bhandary, and SKDRDP chief executive officer Dr L H Manjunath were also present.

Vedike district president Radhakrishna Alva welcomed the gathering.  Taluk president Devadas Hebbar proposed the vote of thanks and SKDRDP project officer Vincent Pais compered the programme.