Udupi, May 31, 2015 : If Roti –Kapda-Makan was the popular election slogan in the past, later mandir-masjid and mandals also became popular slogans. Now it is Bijli-Paani and Sadak (Electricity, water and roads) that play crucial role in the election results, said Shekhar Gupta, veteran journalist and Vice Chairman of India Today Group.
He was addressing the Surya Mitra National Award Presentation Ceremony held here on May 30, Saturday under the aegis of the Selco Solar Light of Bengaluru. The Awards were conferred on Fr Maria Julian, Director of Chitra Don Bosco, Chitradurga, and Arjun Menda, Founder and Chairman, RMZ Corporation and Trustee, Menda Foundation, Bengaluru.
Continuing, Gupta also contended that the electricity issue played a crucial role in the victory of Aravind Kejriwal in the Delhi elections.
Referring to power shortage in the nation, he attributed the same to incompetence of the administration and officials. Gupta also praised Dr Harish Hande, Selco Managing Director and Ramon Magsaysay Award winner for his initiative to provide solar power to 3.5 lakh families.
Dr Harish Hande who spoke on the occasion said the nation needed ‘Thought in India’ more than ‘Make in India.’
Stating that the government has assured all co-operation to his initiative, Dr Harish Hande said the solar lights which he installed at his residence 20 years ago are still functional.
KM Udupa, Director of Selco, Mohan Hegde, CEO, K Revathi, SELCO President and others were present.