Those making singing national anthem a controversy unfit to be in India: C T Ravi
Bengaluru, May 14: BJP national general secretary C T Ravi on Saturday said those trying to make singing the national anthem a controversy are unfit to be in this country, as rendering it at any point of time should be a matter of pride.
Stating that those who are "emotionally" Indians will not make singing the national anthem a controversy, he said madrassas should voluntarily follow it, instead of doing it under instructions.
Singing the national anthem 'Jana Gana Mana' has been made compulsory at all madrassas in Uttar Pradesh from last Thursday.
The Registrar of the Uttar Pradesh Madrassa Education Board, had issued an order to this effect to all the District Minority Welfare Officers on May 9, but it came into effect from May 12, when regular classes began after Ramzan holidays.
Asked whether such a measure is needed in Karnataka's madrassas too, Ravi said, "It is not a matter of discussion...they have to do it voluntarily, not under instructions."
"Singing the national anthem should not become a controversy. Those making singing the national anthem a controversy are unfit to be in this country," Ravi said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said singing the national anthem at any point of time should be a matter of pride.
"If someone has to be forced to sing the national anthem, it will reflect the commitment of such people. Those who have commitment will naturally sing and respect the national anthem. Those who don't respect the national flag, national anthem, Constitution are just technically living in this country, not emotionally. Those who are emotionally Indians will not make it a controversy," he added.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
KSDL invites innovative technology to check sandalwood theft
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has invited farmers, scientists and organisations to come up with innovative technologies to prevent sandalwood theft in the state.
The state-owned Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL), which manufactures Mysuru Sandal Soap has also planned sandalwood cultivation, state Large and Medium Industries Minister M B Patil said on Thursday.
"In a bid to promote sandalwood cultivation, the KSDL has planned a major initiative. As part of it, farmers, scientists, and organisations possessing information on advanced equipment or innovative technologies to prevent sandalwood theft have been invited to approach KSDL and share the details," Patil said in a statement.
Those interested in this initiative will be given an opportunity to demonstrate such technologies before the organisation, the minister said, adding if the proposed solutions are found suitable and effective, steps will be taken for consideration and implementation.
Patil stated that the cost involved in deploying technologies aimed at preventing sandalwood theft would be borne by KSDL.
Further, with a view to encouraging sandalwood cultivation, four farmers who have supplied the highest quantity of sandalwood to KSDL will be honoured with awards on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar on June 4, he said.
On the same occasion, police personnel and forest officials who have made notable progress in apprehending sandalwood thieves and registering cases, along with members of the public who have provided credible information leading to such action, will also be recognised and rewarded, the minister added.
Patil observed that farmers cultivating sandalwood trees on their lands have been facing increasing threats due to theft in recent years. Illegal felling and theft of sandalwood trees have continued for decades.
Although stringent laws are in place to curb such activities, the number of cases resulting in convictions remains very low, he noted.
"In this context, it becomes the responsibility of the organisation to extend both legal and technical support to farmers and encourage them to take up sandalwood cultivation on a larger scale," he said.
According to him, over the past three years, KSDL has procured 174.5 metric tonne of sandalwood directly from farmers across the state and transferred Rs 6.08 crore to their respective accounts.
