K'taka govt officers, employees to wear Khadi to work on first Saturday
Bengaluru (PTI): All officers and employees of the Karnataka government will perform their duties wearing Khadi clothes "voluntarily", on the first Saturday of every month, aimed at promoting the fabric and related products.
They will also be encouraged to wear Khadi on Independence Day, Republic Day and other official events.
Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh on Thursday issued a circular in this regard.
"On the auspicious occasion of 77th Republic Day, with an aim to reconnect public service with the freedom struggle of the country, the State Government has taken a significant decision to promote the use of Khadi."
"Accordingly, all the officers/employees of all the Government/Aided Institution/Corporations/Boards/Autonomous Institutions/Universities of the State have been asked to wear Khadi on the first Saturday of every month 'voluntarily' and to direct the officers/staff of their departments to wear Khadi while participating in all official government programmes including Independence Day and Republic Day," the circular said.
It is hoped that this move will help in instilling a sense of respect, unity, national sentiment, Indianness, self-respect and social responsibility towards indigenous products among government officers/employees, it added.
With the aim of promoting Khadi products, a meeting was chaired by the Chief Secretary regarding the voluntary wearing of Khadi clothes by the officers and employees of the government and government-owned corporations, authorities, universities, and aided institutions, Karnataka State Government Employees Association separately said on Thursday.
"All officers and employees will perform their duties wearing Khadi clothes on the first Saturday of every month. Khadi clothes to be purchased from the shops of the government-owned Khadi Village Industries Board," the association said in a release.
It said, in addition to the discount currently being given by the Khadi Village Industries Board, an additional discount of 5 per cent will be given to officers and employees.
While the suggested attire for male employees is Khadi shirts, trousers, overcoats and other formal wear, female employees may wear Khadi or Khadi silk sarees, chudidars and other formal outfit.
The initiative will be formally launched on the Government Employees' Day on April 21, the release added.
A proposal in the 2026-27 budget, to establish a Government Employees' Canteen through Mysore Sales International Limited (MSIL), on the lines of defence canteens, to supply essential commodities and daily-use goods at concessional rates, was discussed at the meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary.
Also discussed was, a proposal to extend the additional 5 per cent special discount currently provided by the Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation (KSIC) to IAS officers for the purchase of silk sarees and fabrics, to all state government officers and employees, it added.
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Former India hockey coach Michael Nobbs dies
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.
