Need to uphold, redevelop human values in society: Former Lokayukta Santhosh Hegde
Justice Santhosh Hegde addresses ‘Vikasa-22’ programme of Bearys Group of Institutions
Kundapur: Former Lokayukta and Supreme Court judge Justice N Santhosh Hegde has said that the onus of establishing human values is on the individuals of th society. He added that our ancestors had left behind values that we were supposed to uphold but lost due to our own ignorance.
“Society itself is responsible for the social injustice we see around us in current times. There is a thirst for wealth and power to the extent of sidelining people of noble character. As a result, the humanitarian values built by our predecessors have eroded. It is now our responsibility to redevelop these values,” he said.
Justice Hegde was addressing the gathering as chief guest of the ‘Vikasa-22’, the 116th Foundation Day and Annual Day programme of the Bearys Group of Institutions held at Bearys Knowledge Campus on Kodi Beach Road in Kundapur on Saturday.
“Society refuses to acknowledge evil as evil, because of which, there is no peace and harmony in society. Success in life can be gained through a sense of contentment as well as humanity. Developing such a quality and living like a human being makes our life worthwhile,” he said.
The former Lokayukta said that competing for a government post is never healthy. “The difference between the haves and have-nots has only increased with time. This has also made way for greater clashes. Since greed has increased of late, developing a sense of contentment is the only cure for this. Man should have an ambition, but not greed, which makes us harm others to reach a goal,” he stressed.
“Parents should develop the habit of teaching moral lessons to children. The present day education system should give priority to values,” he added.
Abdul Ahad, Superintendent of the Indian Coast Guard, stressed on physical fitness and the role of sports in the maintenance of health.
“The values imbibed by parents will be passed on to children. Focus enables us to learn any subject. There should also be a mind to learn the various aspects of the different religions and communities in India,” he added.
“Indians have an ideology to see God in everything. Expressing concern for the environment and developing sympathy and care for everyone helps us rise to great heights as individuals,” he said and added, “The leaders of the Bearys Group of Institutions have been living a model lifestyle and setting an example for others in society.”
Retired professor and scientist Nadoja K P Rao, who developed software for Indian languages in computers; and international-level cricketer Prithviraj Shetty were felicitated on the occasion. Other students who had made achievements in sports and education were also honoured.
Haji K M Abdul Rehman, president of the Group, chaired the event. Udupi District Deputy Director of Pre-university Education Maruthi, head of Haji K Moideen Bearys Education Trust Syed Mohammed Beary, BEd section principal Siddappa K S, Group advisor Abbu Sheikh Sahib, principal of Haji K Moideen Beary Memorial Government Urdu Higher Primary School Jattappa, and Sumithra of Bibi Fatima Memorial Anganwadi, were among those present. Officers of the Coast Guard also attended the event on Saturday.
Ashwini Shetty, head teacher of the Bearys Seaside Public School, welcomed the gathering. English lecturer Hayavadana Upadhya and Kannada lecturer Sandeep Shetty were the masters of ceremony. The annual report was presented by principal of the DEd section Dr Firdaus and head teacher of the Haji K Moideen Beary Memorial Kannada High School head teacher Jayasheela Shetty. The list of awardees was read out by Commerce lecturer Vinutha, while Bearys First Grade College principal Dr Shameer proposed the vote of thanks.
Polythene-free coastline
SP Abdul Ahad presented to the heads of the Bearys Group a handout on the Coast Guard campaign to keep the coastline free from plastic menace.
“The Coast Guard has launched a year-long hygiene campaign on the coastline, with the help and cooperation of education institutions and other organization. Children as well as the public should be made aware of the need to keep our beaches free from polythene,” he stressed and added that Kodi Beach was clean as the Bearys Group had already involved itself in the activity.
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.
Chhattisgarh Vedanta power plant blast: Death toll rises to 20; sixteen workers undergoing treatment
Sakti (Chhattisgarh) (PTI): The death toll in a blast at the Vedanta power plant in Chhattisgarh's Sakti district has mounted to 20 with seven more workers succumbing to injuries, while 16 others are undergoing treatment at different hospitals, officials said on Wednesday.
The deceased include six labourers from West Bengal, five from Chhattisgarh, three each from Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh, two from Bihar, and one from Madhya Pradesh.
The opposition Congress has demanded registration of an FIR against the plant management and a judicial inquiry into the incident.
The explosion occurred on Tuesday afternoon in a steel tube carrying high-pressure steam from the boiler to the turbine at the Vedanta Ltd power plant located in Singhitarai village, leaving several workers with severe burn injuries.
According to officials, four workers died on the spot, while nine others succumbed to injuries soon after the incident.
Seven more workers have died in hospitals, raising the toll to 20, Sakti Collector Amrit Vikas Topno told PTI on Wednesday.
He said that a total of 36 workers were affected in the blast, and 20 of them died.
"Of the 16 injured workers, five are undergoing treatment in hospitals in Raipur, while 11 others are in hospitals of Raigarh, the neighbouring district of Sakti," he added.
Topno added that every possible effort was being made to provide the best medical treatment to the injured.
The deceased were identified, and their family members are being contacted. Arrangements have been made to transport the mortal remains to their native villages via ambulance following the postmortem examination and to provide immediate financial assistance, he said.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the families of each deceased worker and Rs 50,000 for those injured.
Vedanta Power has also announced a Rs 35 lakh compensation for the family of each deceased worker, along with employment support.
The company will also provide Rs 15 lakh to each injured person, ensure salary continuation until recovery, and offer counselling support, a statement from the plant management said.
The chief minister has ordered an inquiry by the Commissioner of the Bilaspur division, assuring strict action against the guilty.
He directed officials to ensure free and proper medical treatment for all injured and emphasised that no negligence in their care would be tolerated.
The district administration has also ordered a separate magisterial probe, while the company has initiated its own internal investigation.
Collector Topno has appointed the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Dabhra to conduct the magisterial inquiry.
The SDM has been asked to submit a report within 30 days covering key aspects, including the cause of the accident, whether it was due to technical or human error, and details of safety inspections carried out at the plant.
Meanwhile, the opposition Congress has demanded registration of an FIR against the plant management and a judicial inquiry into the incident.
State Congress communication wing head Sushil Anand Shukla on Wednesday alleged negligence on the plant management's part and accused the government of attempting to shield those responsible.
He also demanded compensation of Rs 1 crore for the families of the deceased and Rs 50 lakh for the injured.
The construction of a 1,200 MW coal-based thermal power project (two units of 600 MW each) in Singhitarai, originally owned by Athena Chhattisgarh Power Ltd, started in 2009, but remained stalled between 2016 and 2022.
Vedanta acquired the plant in 2022, after which a 600 MW unit was completed and commissioned in August last year, while the second unit is still under construction.
The deceased have been identified as Amrit Lal Patel, Thanda Ram Lahre, Udhab Singh Yadav, Rameshwar Mahilange, and Nadeem Ansari (all from Chhattisgarh); Susanta Jana, Sheikh Saifuddin, Manas Giri, Kailash Mahto, Shibnath Murmu, and Dipankar Singh (West Bengal), Tarun Kumar Ojha, Abdul Karim and Ashok Parhiya (Jharkhand), Raju Ram, Pappu Kumar and Brijesh Kumar (Uttar Pradesh), Aakib Khan and Ritesh Kumar (Bihar), and Chitranjan Dhulai of Madhya Pradesh, officials said.
