Ideologies of great personalities should reach every household: Satish Jarkiholi

Minister for Public Works Satish Jarkiholi said that 12th Century reformer Basavanna and B.R. Ambedkar shared the dream of building a caste-free India and ideologies of such great personalities should reach every household.

Speaking at the valedictory ceremony of the two-day national conference titled “Reason, Rationality, and Republic: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar”, at Dr. B.S. Jirge Hall in Belagavi on Saturday, he said that in challenging times like the present one, efforts should be made to re-introduce the great personalities who dedicated their lives for the welfare of society and worked to eliminate discrimination.

“Therefore, the message of ‘We are all one’ must be sown in children right at the primary and secondary school levels,” he said.

The event was organised by the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Study Chair and the Department of Social Work of Rani Channamma University, in collaboration with the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Training, Research, and Extension Center of the Social Welfare Department.

Mr. Jarkiholi noted that every student had a natural curiosity to learn about Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and to enhance their curiosity and enthusiasm, such special programmes should be organised annually in various universities across the State.

Renowned thinker Rajappa Dalavai said that Indian Constitution, formed on a rational foundation, was a manifestation of collective consciousness. “We must grow beyond the boundaries of caste. Progress should not be limited only to the construction of buildings, bridges, and reservoirs; it must also involve expanding the consciousness of the people. Our freedom of expression remains safe only as long as the Constitution is protected,” he said.

He said that the primary responsibility of universities was to prepare knowledgeable and virtuous citizens for society. He urged students to take inspiration and be proactive by following the example of Dr. Ambedkar.

J. Somashekhar from Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Training, Research and Extension Centre, University of Mysore, said that that there was need to build a knowledge-based society in the current era. He noted that the Minister was towards spreading the seeds of ‘Kayaka’ (selfless work) sown by Basavanna through a rational lens.

Vice-Chancellor C.M. Tyagaraja thanked the Minister for his proactive role in getting grants to the tune of ₹9.80 crore for the new campus at Hirebagewadi.

MLA for Belagavi North A. Raju Asif Seth, KSRTC vice-president Sunil Hanumannaver, BUDA Chairman Laxmanrao Chingale, Registrar (Evaluation) D.N. Patil, finance officer M.A. Sapna, Director of the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Chair Ashok D’Souza, and others were present.