Youth, real wealth of India: Nair

Former chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Dr G Madhavan Nair on Sunday described India emerging as a country with highest youth population as the real wealth.

He was speaking after inaugurating the 95th birth anniversary celebrations of Sri Shivarathri Rajendra Mahaswamiji of Suttur Mutt organised at the Mutt near the foot of Chamundi Hills in the city. “If the youth were imparted with education to hone their skills, the country can meet the requirement of both national and global level in the coming days”, Dr Nair noted. To achieve the same, all it needs is a particular vision and dream of the future, he added. Nair said, the facilities must reach villages and it is only through education development of rural parts would be a reality. Of the 700 million villages in India, half of the population is below poverty line. They should be assured of food security, besides water and health. Saying that India is endowed with intellectual people since history, Nair said it is due to the progress achieved in those days, the country is enjoying most of the advanced facilities in the present days. It may be security or information, there is a million fold increase in its availability. Nair was happy to note that India has emerged as a global power and cited the example of ‘Chandrayaan-1’, as a path breaking discovery in the field of space. Former president, Kannada Sahitya Parishat, Prof G S Siddalingaiah in his ‘Nudi Namana’ went down memory lane recalling the odds Rajendra Swamiji had to face in establishing hostels for the benefit of students. “Swamiji had to sell the valuables in his possession to meet the expenditure pertaining to food at the hostel”, said Siddalingaiah. Vice-chancellor, Dr Gangubai Hanagal, Music and Performing Arts  University, Dr Hanumanna Nayaka Dore said that the contribution of veerashaivas to the field of music is immense. Veerashaiva Punyashrama in Gadag is dedicated to music irrespective of caste, he said. Vice-chancellor, Rani Chennamma University, Belgaum Dr B R Ananthan and  Vice-chancellor, Gulbarga University, Dr E T Puttaiah spoke about their association with the mutt since several decades. Vice-Chancellor, University of Mysore, Prof V G Talawar also spoke. Mayor Sandesh Swamy in his presidential address hailed Rajendra Swamiji as a man of mettle who set an example for others by selling valuables, for the cause of education, when the educational institutions are mushrooming only to reap enormous wealth. The bust of Rajendra Mahaswamiji placed on a flower bedecked sliver palanquin, mounted on an open jeep was taken out in a procession from JSS Mahavidyapeetha to Suttur Mutt. The procession was accompanied by several cultural troupes. Suttur Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji, MLCs Prof K R Mallikarjunappa, Thontadarya and others were present.