Union Ministers lay foundation stone for Rs 14-cr indoor sports complex in Karnataka's Mandya
Mandya (Karnataka) (PTI): Union Ministers Mansukh Mandaviya and H D Kumaraswamy on Saturday laid the foundation stone for a Rs 14-crore multi-purpose indoor sports complex sanctioned for Mandya under the Centre's Khelo India scheme.
The new facility is coming up within the campus of the University of Agricultural Sciences at VC Farm in Mandya.
After taking part in the bhoomi pooja for the indoor stadium, the ministers were welcomed with a massive garland made of jaggery, a specialty of Mandya.
Kumaraswamy explained to Mandaviya the significance and reputation of Mandya's jaggery, which is widely known for its quality.
According to an official statement, while laying the foundation stone, the two ministers called upon the youth of the district to strengthen sports culture in Mandya in line with the slogan 'Khelo India! Vibrant Mandya!', and to produce more champions from the region.
Addressing the gathering, Union Sports Minister Mandaviya said that the 'Khelo India initiative' is a national programme launched by the Centre to revive sports culture at the grassroots level and transform India into a leading sporting nation.
He said that the establishment of this well-equipped sports complex in Mandya had been made possible through the efforts of his Cabinet colleague and NDA leader Kumaraswamy.
Addressing Union Heavy Industries and Steel Minister Kumaraswamy, Mandaviya said that the affection shown by the people reflects the work he has done for them.
He also appreciated Kumaraswamy's compassion and commitment toward persons with disabilities.
Mandaviya said that he had personally witnessed Kumaraswamy's concern for the specially-abled and described the initiative of distributing electric vehicles as highly commendable.
He noted that such efforts not only help persons with disabilities in their daily lives but also contribute positively to environmental protection.
Mandaviya further said that Mandya has produced several sportspersons who have brought recognition not only to the state but also to the country at national and international levels.
He recalled athletes such as Vikas Gowda and K P Shilpa, who had enhanced the reputation of Mandya.
In particular, he highlighted wheelchair tennis player Shilpa, who is currently India's number-one player and has been bringing glory to the country both nationally and internationally.
Expressing hope, he said that many more talented sportspersons should emerge from Mandya in the coming years.
The union minister also stated that the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has worked extensively over the past eleven years to strengthen the sports ecosystem in India.
In the latest Union Budget, Rs 4,000 crore has been allocated to strengthen sports infrastructure, compared to Rs 1,200 crore a decade ago, effectively increasing the allocation more than threefold.
Following the programme, electric vehicles were distributed to 388 persons with disabilities.
The vehicles were provided under the CSR initiatives of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), Kumarswamy's office said in the statement.
Additionally, 500 desktops and 100 laptops donated by Infosys were handed over to government schools. A state-of-the-art ambulance donated under the CSR initiative of the Hinduja Group was also presented to the Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences (MIMS), it said.
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BJP leader Ashoka slams Siddaramaiah for asking people to support son in Varuna segment
Bengaluru (PTI): Taking a dig at Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for calling on the people of his Varuna assembly segment to support and nurture his son Yathindra, just as they did to him, senior BJP leader R Ashoka on Saturday asked whether this was a monarchy to announce a successor.
The Leader of the Opposition also termed it a "bad" development in state politics.
"Siddaramaiah gives speeches claiming that he is a socialist and not a casteist or a nepotist. Yesterday, he asked people to nurture his son politically. All these years, they nurtured him, now his son, and next he will come in six months with a similar request for his grandson. Is this monarchy to announce a successor," Ashoka asked.
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Speaking to reporters here, he said Siddaramaiah seems to have abandoned Ambedkar's principles.
"One has to win through ballots in politics....such appeals in politics will be an offence to the principles with which Ambedkar drafted our Constitution. It is surprising that Siddaramaiah has made such a statement. This is not good for state politics," he added.
Addressing a gathering at his Varuna constituency in Mysuru on Friday, Siddaramaiah said he will remain in politics till his "last breath" and will continue to serve the people as much as he can. He also called on the people of the segment to support and nurture his son and Congress MLC Yathindra politically, just as they supported him.
The opposition leader also took a dig at "dinner parties" within the Congress amid the ongoing power struggle between Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar's camps and speculation about a leadership change, stating that "this is a dinner party government."
"They are not worried about the difficulties faced by the state's people. They are only concerned with who will hold the chief minister post and maintain power. This is betrayal to the people of the state," he added.
Reacting to Ramanagara Congress MLA Iqbal Hussain criticising the state budget presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah last week, Ashoka claimed that a number of other ruling party legislators are also unhappy with the Budget, as it did not meet their expectations.
"Hussain has only expressed the opinion of other Congress MLAs. He has spoken the truth. I compliment him," he added.
Responding to a question, Ashoka urged the state government to take action against those indulging in hoarding and black marketing of LPG cylinders amid supply constraints caused by the West Asia conflict.
Pointing out that the supply issues have arisen due to conflict, he said, "Those trying to blame the Centre for the gas crisis should understand this. They should suggest alternatives to address the supply issue caused by the war."
Appealing to the people of the state to cooperate in the current situation, Ashoka hit out at CM Siddaramaiah for doing politics on the issue that has arisen due to the war in the Middle East.
