Minister tells parents to respect their children’s choices in study, career

Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar has urged parents to respect the choices of their children in choosing the course of study and their careers.

Speaking after presenting the annual awards of the Karnataka Bal Vikas Academy at the Suvarna Soudha here on Tuesday, she said that modern day stress is robbing children of their time to play and have fun.

“We should never forget that every moment is important for children. We should let them use their time well. It is our responsibility to make sure that children realise their dreams and make their parents happy. However, we have to enable them to grow into responsible citizens,” she said.

She said that she has been inspired to take up a career in public life after listening to speeches made by a leader who visited her school during her childhood.

She said that she considered her portfolio as an opportunity to serve women and children.

“I come from a common farmer family. I am proud to speak about this. As the only woman Minister now, I am raising my voice for women and children. I have made many changes since becoming Minister. All our efforts have been centred around the realisation that today’s children are the future citizens of the country,” she said.

“Various efforts by successive Congress governments, like mid-day meals and SHGs promotion, started during the S.M. Krishna government, have been appreciated across the country,” she said.

On the occasion, president of Karnataka Bal Vikas Academy Sangamesh Babaleswar said that a State-level children’s literary conference will be organized in Vijayapura in the coming months.