“We are blessed to be born in India, which has a history of democracy,” said N. S. Bosaraju, Minister for Small Irrigation, Science and Technology and Kodagu District In-charge.
He was speaking at the International Democracy Day celebration held at Gandhi Bhavan in the Madikeri recently under the joint auspices of the District Administration, Zilla Panchayat, and the Social Welfare Department.
The Minister said that the country is developing, that there is diversity in the population, and that the nation is stable. In order to move forward without caste or religious discrimination, every citizen above the age of 18 should follow the slogan “Our Vote, Our Right” by participating in voting.
He stressed that programs to instill a sense of democratic governance among the younger generation should be increased. Education on political governance should be imparted, and young people should be included in political activities. Only then, he said, will the state remain stable.
He called upon all citizens to come together to do good for the nation by observing the unpleasant incidents happening in neighbouring countries, understanding them, and avoiding such evils.
The Minister said that the Constitution should be applied in everyone’s life, that it should be followed and respected, and that every individual should be a leader, speak like a leader, develop a questioning attitude, and demand their rights.
He emphasized that youth power is the inspiration for politics and urged young people to take greater interest, seek education, and secure positions in administration.
Dr. Mantar Gowda, MLA from the Madikeri Assembly Constituency, also addressed the gathering. He said that Dr. B. R. Ambedkar studied the constitutions of many countries and gave the Indian nation a good constitution.
He recalled Nelson Mandela’s words that in a political system, the public is the asset, and he added that it is not only leaders but also the public who must protect democracy. He assured the secretaries and leaders of the Ambedkar organization that their demands would be considered and fulfilled at the earliest, and announced that an Ambedkar statue would be constructed at the district level.
Later, dignitaries inspected the site for the construction of an Ambedkar monument near the Appiah Gowda Memorial in the Madikeri.
Sridhar, a professor at FMKMC College and the main speaker at the event, said that it is a matter of pride that the Indian Constitution has achieved international recognition, which has made India known throughout the world. He stated that the foundation of this achievement is the principle that the people should be the main power of governance. He emphasized that the Indian system of governance, carried out through general elections without regard to caste, religion, or creed, is very strong, and that democracy must have a powerful impact within the country to create an atmosphere without fear.
DSS Convener Diwakar requested the dignitaries to allocate a suitable site for the establishment of an Ambedkar Bhavan, noting that the previously identified site was unsatisfactory to the committee.
On the occasion, E. Raju and his team sang a song on the Constitution. The event was attended by Guarantee Scheme Implementation Committee District President Teethira Dharmada Uthappa, Taluk Guarantee Committee President Mandrira Mohan Das, City Municipal Council members Sathish, Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Venkat Raja, G. P. CEO Anand Prakashmina, Kodagu District Police Superintendent K. Ramarajan, Assistant Commissioner Nitin Chakki, Deputy Director of the Social Welfare Department Shekhar, Dalit Sangharsh Samiti leaders Veerabhadraiah, Deepak, Raju, Janardhan, Jagadish, Madikeri Taluk Tahsildar Sridhar, DSS Conveners Diwakar, Mohan Maurya, Deepak Pennappa, Ganesh, Gopal and others.
The children of Ambedkar Residential School sang a National song. Deputy Director of the Social Welfare Department Shekhar delivered the welcome address and rendered vote of thanks.
