Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday took a swipe at Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy, by calling him a "Manuvadi" after his alliance with the BJP, for seeking the inclusion of Bhagavad Gita in the curriculum for students.
The CM's dig came in response to Kumaraswamy's recent letter to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, requesting the inclusion of the Bhagavad Gita in the curriculum of students, as it will inspire and motivate youth to grow into responsible citizens from their student days and excel globally.
"After Kumaraswamy joined hands with the BJP for elections, he has become a Manuvadi," Siddaramaiah told reporters here after paying tributes to B R Ambedkar on his 69th death anniversary here.
Remembering Ambedkar, Siddaramaiah highlighted his contribution to the Constitution and his relentless fight to provide social justice.
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The CM noted that Ambedkar, fed up with the social and caste system in Hinduism, and unable to reform it, accepted Buddhism.
He said, "Ambedkar, towards the end of his life, quit Hinduism and joined Buddhism. He had said -- he was born in Hinduism, but cannot die in Hinduism, because he could not reform Hinduism, despite several efforts, so he accepted Buddhism."
Meanwhile, reacting to the CM's comments, Kumaraswamy, speaking to reporters in Mandya, said Siddaramaiah's intention was to create a rift between communities.
"In what contest have I said? Have I asked for everyone to be converted? What is Manuvadi in it? His (Siddaramaiah) intention was to create a rift between communities. Is he a big Samajwadi (socialist)?... He has been enjoying power in the name of AHINDA (Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes, and Dalits) for ten years. What has he done to the community?"
Responding to this, Shiddaramaiah, speaking to reporters in Hassan, asked what Kumaraswamy's contribution to Mandya (his Lok Sabha constituency) and Karnataka, being a union minister. He further asked what he did when it came to compensation for GST losses to the state and Mekedatu project.
Stating that he organised AHINDA, the CM further said all the five guarantee schemes are for the people, which includes AHINDA, poor, woman, working class.
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Melbourne (PTI): Former Australian hockey player Michael Nobbs, who coached the Indian men's team at the 2012 London Olympics, has died after a prolonged illness.
He was 72 years old and is survived by his wife Lee Capes, a former Australian women's international and daughter Kaitlin, who is a current Hockeyroos star.
"Hockey Australia extends its deepest condolences to Michael’s family, friends, former teammates, players and all those whose lives and careers were shaped by his contribution to hockey. He will be remembered as a proud Kookaburra, a respected professional, and a servant of the sport," Hockey Australia said in a statement.
Nobbs represented Australia as a defender, playing across the half-back line and at fullback, and was renowned for his reliability, fitness and professionalism. He earned 76 international caps for Australia between 1979 and 1985, scoring one goal, and was a member of one of the strongest eras in Australian men’s hockey, said Hockey Australia on its website in its tribute.
Nobbs was an integral part of the Australian teams that competed at the 1981 Hockey World Cup in Bombay and the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
While part of a generation widely regarded as one of Australia’s finest, he consistently held his place through hard work, discipline and trust earned from teammates and coaches, Hockey Australia wrote.
Nobbs took over the coaching of the Indian men's team in 2011 after it had failed to qualify for the Beijing Games in 2008. While India were brilliant in the qualifiers, the team finished last at the London extravaganza which also expedited the Australian coach's sacking.
Apart from India, Nobbs also coached Japan.
