Justice Santhosh Hegde administers Anti-corruption Oath to students

Justice Santhosh Hegde administers Anti-corruption Oath to students

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Oct 15, 2011: The Anti Corruption Committee of Mangalore and the Social and Cultural Research Centre of Canara College Mangalore jointly organized a special ceremony during which anti-corruption oaths were administered among the youth at TV Raman Pai Hall today.

Justice N. Santhosh Hegde, the chief guest of the event, urged students to fight against corruption, recalling how he had visited over 1000 schools and colleges over the past 5 years and had interacted with students in a bid to enhance awareness regarding corruption in the country.

 

Recalling the words of late PM Rajiv Gandhi, Hegde said that Rajiv Gandhi had stated that even if the government sanctions one rupee, the beneficiary will receive just 15 paise of it. Speaking about the poverty in Karnataka, he said that several villages do not have proper drainage facilities, drinking water facilities, and other basic facilities. He said that the central government had sanctioned Rs. 51,000 crore for rural development projects, but the amount has remained unaccounted for.

Elaborating on the problem of corruption, he said that not only the receivers of bribes, but also the givers of bribes are equally criminal. Stating that corruption is anti-human, he said that the government had approved 17 bills in just 12 minutes in Dec 2008, which indicates that they haven’t even considered the titles of those bills.

Chief guest Ananthakrishna, the chairman of Karnataka Bank, said that corruption can be checked only when people develop complete control over their hearts and minds.

Delivering the keynote address, Erya Laxminarayana Alva said that he was happy to see youth participating actively in the fight against corruption led by Gandhian Anna Hazare, adding that the flame of nationalism and idealism should be sustained at any cost.

Justice Santhosh Hegde conducted the oath-taking ceremony for the students. Later, Sudutta Jain and Santhosh Kavoor, both social activists, were honoured for their fight against corruption and their support of Anna Hazare, which they showed by fasting for six and a half days near Town Hall.

Ranjan Rao of Canara College and Akshatha Shetty of KSHEMA voiced their opinions regarding corruption on this occasion.

Dr. G. N. Bhat, the principal of Canara College, delivered the welcome address. Pramila, the convenor of the Social and Cultural Research Centre at Canara College, was the comperer. Sameer Puranik proposed the vote of thanks.