No decision yet on closing new universities: CM Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru, Mar 14 (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday told the Legislative Assembly that a decision will be taken on the closure or continuation of new universities established in the state, during the previous BJP government, based on the findings of the cabinet sub-committee.
He said Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar headed cabinet sub-committee tasked with reviewing the status of public universities in the state, is yet to submit its report to the government.
The chief minister said this in the Assembly when BJP MLA and former Higher Education Minister C N Ashwath Narayan sought discussion on the issue under an adjournment motion.
"We are not closing...seven new universities that were opened by them (BJP). We will not close any university. Whether to continue them or not a cabinet sub-committee has been formed headed by the Deputy Chief Minister. They have not yet given the report," Siddaramaiah said.
He said, "Even before the report is submitted, they (BJP) have developed concerns. We will not close. To look into whether -- to continue the universities or not, it (the cabinet sub-committee) has been formed."
At this point, several BJP legislators, including Basavanagouda Patil Yatnal, questioned as to what the CM meant by saying that universities will not be closed, and the cabinet sub-committee has been formed to look into whether to continue the universities or not.
However, the CM responding to this, maintained that the cabinet sub-committee has not submitted the report and the matter has not been discussed in the cabinet yet.
"I feel it is premature to discuss this. There is no need for discussion on this by bringing an adjournment motion. It is not that important and it is not a matter of recent occurrence. There has been no decision yet," he said.
There is no need for any worry, Siddaramaiah further said, "Once the cabinet sub-committee report comes, we will decide in the cabinet whether to continue or not."
Intervening at this point, Leader of Opposition R Ashoka, said the CM's statement on the issue is different from what has been said by the Deputy Chief Minister and the Higher Education Minister, and that has caused the concern. "What the CM seems to be saying is we will close the door but won't lock it..."
Siddaramaiah, however, reiterated that a cabinet sub-committee has been formed. After considering the pros and cons, they will submit a report. "The cabinet will then examine it and decide whether to continue (universities) or not."
According to reports, at least nine new universities that are said to be on the radar are -- Koppal, Bagalkot, Haveri, Kodagu, Hassan, Chamarajanagar, Nrupathunga, Mandya and the Maharani cluster.
Shivakumar, last week, told the Assembly that the government would merge the new universities with their parent institutions. "We are just merging universities because they are not viable," he had said.
Earlier, as Narayan tried to push for discussion under an adjournment motion on the issue, Speaker U T Khader suggested that the issue can be raised during the discussion on budget, as there has already been some discussion on the matter.
Siddaramaiah too suggested the issue can be discussed during the budget discussion. However, Narayan, wanting to make preliminary mention or submission on the subject, stressed on the importance of universities for the all round development of a region and people living there, and said, there are concerns that the government is planning to shut down some universities citing financial reasons.
Higher Education Minister M C Sudhakar said Narayan and the BJP were trying to raise the matter unnecessarily as it has become a "prestige issue" for them.
The Speaker, however, later said that he would allow discussion on the matter next week.
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She is gone, the music lives on: Sorrow and song as Asha Bhosle cremated with state honours
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Mumbai (PTI): "Abhi Na Jaao Chhodkar..." The strains of that wistful song played in the background at the Shivaji Park crematorium on Monday as hundreds of people gathered inside, and outside, to bid music legend Asha Bhosle a final sayonara.
A gun salute rang out as the last rites of Bhosle, perhaps the last of the singing greats who ruled the soundwaves for decades and still do, were held in accordance with Hindu rituals and with full state honours. Her son Anand performed the rituals.
Bhosle, one half of the legendary Mangeshkar sisters, passed away on Sunday due to multi-organ failure. She was 92 as was her Lata didi when she died in February 2022.
Priests recited mantras around the funeral pyre, decorated with vibrant yellow and orange marigolds.
Granddaughter Zanai was inconsolable. Sister Usha Mangeshkar, also a singer, and brother Hridaynath Mangeshkar, a music composer, were there too.
Among those gathered to pay their last respects to India's singer nonpareil were Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar, director Ramesh Sippy and actors Aamir Khan and Vicky Kaushal.
It was a moment of sorrow and song too.
Before the pyre was lit, singers Shaan, Sudesh Bhosle and Anup Jalota paid a musical tribute to the enduring legend who sang some 12,000 songs in an incredible eight-decade career that started when she was just 10.
While Sudesh Bhosle crooned "Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana", Shaan sang "Pyaar Ke Mod Pe".
But they were not the only ones.
Many fans, their hands folded in prayer, were heard singing the many numbers that made Bhosle the star that she was for music lovers of all ages and through many generations.
Snatches of "Aaiye Meherbaan", the languid song of love filmed on Madhubala, and "Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Pe", romance of another hue pictured on Zeenat Aman many decades later, and many others, could be heard. Some softly crooned, others louder.
"I've been a huge fan of Asha Tai. She has had songs for every mood and occasion. Our Tai, and her songs, will live forever in our hearts," said one ardent fan.
The irrepressible, exuberance of the versatile Bhosle, who was compelling whether she was singing classical or cabaret, was inspirational, said another.
"Not just her songs, but her being so energetic at this age inspired me. It's all because of her that I'm quite active even now," added another who came with her daughter.
The fanspeak melded with the instrumental versions of many of Bhosle's songs, right from "Inhi Logon Ne" to "In Aankhon Ki Masti" that played out.
It was a day to remember for Mumbai.
People lined the streets, gathered on rooftops and windows, and hundreds walked along the cortege as it made its slow way from Bhosle's home Lower Parel to Shivaji Park to accompany the city's very own Asha Tai on her last journey.
Chants of "Asha Tai amar rahe" went up in the crowds gathered for a last glimpse of the singing star who ruled playlists -- and hearts -- for eight decades.
A giant photograph of Bhosle, radiant in a red sari with her trademark bindi and an ornate nose ring, was placed on the flower-decked bier as the procession made its way through the streets.
Earlier in the day, Bhosle's body, in a glass casket and draped in the tricolour, was kept at her home for mourners to pay their last respects.
Her songs across the decades -- "Aao Huzoor Tumko", "Aaiye Meherban", "Jhumka Gira Re", "Dil Cheez Kya Hai", "O Saathi Re" and "Yai Re Yai Re" -- played softly in the background.
A reminder as it were that the singer may be gone but her songs will live on forever.
Veteran actors Asha Parekh and Helen, Ranveer Singh, Tabu, composer AR Rahman, cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar and political leaders Uddhav Thackeray, Praful Patel and Supriya Sule were among those who gathered at her residence.
Bhosle was a recipient of the Padma Vibhushan, Dadasaheb Phalke Award and the Maharashtra Bhushan.
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