Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru Feb 7: Deputy chief minister (DCM) Dr Ashwath Narayan inaugurated the 39th three-day state-level Akhila Bharathiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) conference, here at Town Hall on Friday, February 7.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Ashwath Narayan said, “When several problems occur in the society and students get affected, ABVP believes in raising voice to resolve the issue and bring it to the notice to the system. If the problems are not resolved, ABVP members come to streets and protest until their voices are heard and justice is done. Usually, during protests, there will be fear about police lathi-charge but ABVP stands firm facing all the challenges. When corruption grows, people stop believing in the system. Youth should unite against corruption. Those who love this country and show patriotism will never think of betraying their motherland.
"Today, several political parties, organisations are diverting the minds of the society over the implementation of CAA. They are pushing society into darkness. CAA was a long pending demand to provide citizenship to minorities who faced atrocities in Islamic state. Those who desire to amend the Act are protesting against the act,” he said.
ABVP national organising secretary Ashish Chauhan said, "ABVP in the last 70 years of its existence has spread across campuses all over the country. People had claimed Nehru as a finest democrat leader but what happened to the democratic principles? All student Congress wing was abolished as they were raising voices over simple issues. Student power is not a nuisance power but a nation’s power. ABVP creates leadership and shapes thinking. It teaches youth to lead from the front. ABVP has created fine leaders and youth who work towards nation building.
“What is happening at universities today resembles to Maoist ideologies. ABVP is the one who made them say there are not anti-nationals. Today, they are holding national flags and chanting national anthems. This is the changes we brought in. We should be vigilant as their strategies often change. We should be a step ahead of them,” he said.
Harekala Hajabba was felicitated for being selected for the Padma Shri award.
Mangaluru University vice chancellor Prof P S Yadapadithaya, former governor P B Acharya, ABVP state president Dr Allama Prabhu Gowda and others were present.
Karnataka Janapada Academy president Manjamma Jogatthi inaugurated a photo exhibition which showcases activities of ABVP throughout the state and also tourist places of Mangaluru.
ABVP state secretary Harsha Narayan compered the event. The welcome committee president K C Naik welcomed the gathering and welcome committee general secretary C A Shantharam Shetty rendered the vote of thanks.
On February 8, a special lecture will be held on the topic 'Present India' which will be addressed by ABVP national organising secretary Sunil Ambekar and NITTE Education Trust president N Vinaya Hegde. On February 8, there will be procession on the eve of convention in city's main streets and also public meet which will be addressed by ABVP national president Bengaluru Harsha Narayana and also by student leaders.
On February 9, sessions will be held which will be addressed by K N Raghunandan, national deputy organising secretary, Bhopal.