Insult to mother Cauvery in the name of statue
At a time when problems of farmers have reached their pinnacle in the recent times, we have a state government that wants to make a statue of Mother Cauvery. The government claims the intention behind this is to develop tourism. Most of the tourist spaces in the state are languishing without care or maintenance, and the government is planning to set up a new statue! Government needs to remember something. By merely constructing a tallest statue does not make the place a tourism spot. A place of tourist significance needs to have a social, cultural and historical identity. People don’t come to watch Gol Gumbaz, Gommateshwara or any other monument for the reason that they are the tallest or brilliant structures. There are historical and cultural footprints behind these places. People come close to experience them. Right now there are ample tourist places in Karnataka. Those historically and culturally significant places are on the verge of destruction owing to lack of maintenance and excesses of nature.
Karnataka tourism will improve manifold if they are rejuvenated and maintained well. But the state government is following the statue politics and has decided to get into manipulating the emotions of people of the state. The last Congress government had drawn up some pro-poor measures in the satte. People had ridiculed the government and said the tax payers were being cheated when the govt gave rice for Re 1 per kilo to those below poverty line. Similar thoughts had resonated during the opening of Indira canteen. On one hand when the centre was making anti-people economic policies, Siddaramaiah government had ensured the country’s focus is on the state with its pro-poor and pro-people programmes. Even today, the state is a role model to others in such cases. Karnataka’s solar policy that enables self-sufficiency is said to be the best among the Indian states.
Loan waiver had helped the farmers breathe easy. All these had played a major role in the comprehensive development of Karnataka. But, unfortunately, the coalition government seems to have fallen prey to the statue politics started by the BJP govt at the centre which wants to emotionally manipulate people by way of erecting statues in Gujarat, UP and Mumbai. The govt seems to have believed such works will bring it good name. On one hand, the government is receiving aid from other countries such as Britain etc for its developmental works. On the other, the country is using it to erect a Rs 3000 cr statue has turned it into an international mockery in the eyes of the world.
The CM should never forget this loss of image India suffered in the recent times. Experts say the erecting statues never yield better tourism prospects. Thousands of villages have suffered over this statue. Environmental harm is yet to be estimated. Locals have protested against this statue. Now the next such mega project of setting up Shivaji Park is also being met with resistance. What would the govermment’s defense be to the claim that this statue would harm the livelihood of fishermen? How would the country benefit from this? BJP is erecting these statues on the grave of people whom it murdered. Live ones are killed and the country is a safe place for statues to be erected. At times like this, people should be aware that the BJP leaders want to build the country on people’s dead bodies. They need to understand the Karnataka model was the best one to follow. Unfortunately, BJP’s statue politics is dominating the discourse.
If the government has Rs 1500 cr to spend on the state, it should be used to alleviate the pains of farmers in the state or in Cauvery basin. On one hand, Kodagu is still reeling under the effects of flood and lashing rains that left the region damaged and debilitated. Several taluks in north Karnataka are declared ‘drought-stricken’. Sugarcane farmers in Mandya are still awaiting payment for their crops. To respond to the farmers and ending their distress would be a better tribute to mother Cauvery than erecting a statue because she lives in the home and hearts of people who are dependent on her for their livelihoods.
The statue of Cauvery is a massive illusion because she is a river and how can she be given a form? How can the imagery of some random female form benefit the river in its glory? How would this help the farmers? Would this statue ensure their fields get water? If all the forest area around this place is turned into a resort to attract the tourists, thus destroying the green cover help the people or ecology? The government should not splurge the resources meant for the farmers, in the name of statue. It would be a treachery of sorts in the name of farmers of this state. Insulting them would be like insulting mother Cauvery.
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World saw valour, courage of Indian armed forces through Operation Sindoor: President
New Delhi (PTI): President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday said the world saw the valour of Indian armed forces through Operation Sindoor when they destroyed terror camps on the strength of their own resources and asserted that any terror act will be responded with decisive action.
"India has proved that power can be used with responsibility and wisdom. The world has seen the valour and courage of Indian armed forces through Operation Sindoor," Murmu said in her address to both Houses of Parliament, marking the beginning of the Budget Session.
"Our nation, on the strength of our own resources, destroyed terror camps. My government sent a message that any act of terror will be responded to with resolute and decisive action," the President said, amid thumping of desks by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other parliamentarians.
Murmu said the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty was part of India's fight against terror.
"We are also working on Mission Sudarshan Chakra to further strengthen national security," the President said, adding that security forces have also taken decisive action against Maoist terror.
Following Operation Sindoor, she said, the trust on Indian defence platforms has increased.
Murmu further said her government was committed to social justice in the country.
In the third term of the government, she said, work is being done to further empower the poor, and social security benefits are available to nearly 95 crore citizens now.
"My government is committed to true social justice," she said, adding that 25 crore Indians moved out of poverty in the last 10 years.
The President also said the government has been successful in tackling corruption and scams, and ensuring proper use of public funds.
"For India, the end of the first 25 years of this century has been filled with several successes, proud achievements and extraordinary experiences. In the last 10-11 years, India has strengthened its foundation in every sector," she said.
Lauding India's celebration of the 350th martyrdom day of the ninth Sikh guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur, and the country's tribute to revered tribal leader and freedom fighter Birsa Munda on his 150th birth anniversary, Murmu said, "when the country remembers the contribution of its ancestors, the new generation gets inspiration, which further speeds up our journey towards Viksit Bharat (Developed India)."
"The country celebrated the 350th Shaheedi Diwas of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. During the 150th birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, the entire country paid him tribute and remembered his contribution to the tribal community," the President said.
"The events related to the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel further strengthened the sense of Ek Bharat, Shresht Bharat (One India, Best India). The entire country became witness to how Bharat Ratna Bhupen Hazarika's birth anniversary celebrations filled the country with music and a sense of unity," Murmu said.
The President's mention of the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) scheme was met with loud protests from the Opposition benches.
Murmu said the VB-G RAM G initiative would provide guarantee for 125 days of work, would stop corruption and leakages, and provide a new impetus to rural development.
The Opposition members raised slogans demanding its rollback, even as the treasury benches thumped their desk in support of the scheme.
The President had to take a brief pause amid opposition cries of "vapas lo" (roll back) against the Act that replaced the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
The Opposition parties have been demanding withdrawal of the VB-G RAM G Act and restoration of MGNREGA as a rights-based law in its original form, the right to work and the authority of panchayats.
The government has, meanwhile, claimed that the new Act will further strengthen the guarantee for rural employment.
