Mangalore, March 4: The only way to put an end to naxalism is to address the problems of the poor and the weaker sections of the society. Self-help groups have a role to play in reaching out to them and helping them in fulfilling their basic needs and empowering them, said Dr. M Veerappa Moily, Union Minister for Corporate Affairs.
He was speaking at the mammoth convention of self-help groups organized by Canara Organisation for Development and Peace (CODP), Mangalore, on Sunday in the city.
Putting forth his observations on the growth of naxalism in quite a few parts of the country, Mr. Moily said “Backward classes in areas such as Jharkhand, Orissa etc have woken up and the naxals are taking advantage of it. Bodies such as CARITAS India and CODP must work in these places. The union government has released funds for such people and designed programmes for their basic healthcare, education etc and these groups can help the government in reaching out to them. There was no trace of naxalism after Indira Gandhi brought about land reforms which empowered the weak. But now, naxalism has returned due to a rise in social imbalance. The only way to eradicate naxalism is to provide basic facilities to the poor and empowering them”, he said.
Enlightening the gathering on the significance of the role played by women in shaping up a society, Mr. Moily said: “Womenfolk have it in them to light up not just their houses but also the entire society. My mother helped me study and inspired me although she was an illiterate. Never ignore your children and think that you cannot do anything. We introduced CET due to which thousands of poor students have now become engineers and doctors. Why can't there be a doctor or engineer in your house? About 40% of children discontinue their studies after class 4. This is because of the mental pressure they face owing to their family and societal problems. Gone are the days when people would tell their children that it is their destiny to remain poor and accept that they are of low socio-economic status. Act as a guiding force to them and help them concentrate on achieving success. You will find Einsteins and CV Ramans in them”, Mr. Moily advised.
In his address Rev. Dr. Aloysius Paul D'Souza, Bishop of Mangalore, echoed Dr. Moily's view that no one should possess a feeling of inferiority and aim high. “If we keep thinking that there is no way forward, we will never develop”, the Bishop said. He also said that self-help groups must follow the footsteps of Mother Teresa and keep working for the poor, women, farmers, the weakest of the weak and those who are exploited by prostitution.
Representatives of associations and self-help groups who have made contributions through their work in various social developmental works such as RTI awareness, receipt of identity cards, arrangement of drinking water facilities and street lights etc, were felicitated on the occasion.
Rev. Fr. Fredrick D'Souza, Director, CARITAS India,New Delhi, Mr. Jimmy Mathew, Caritas India, Bangalore, were also present.
Prior to the formal inauguration, a procession was held by members of various self-help groups from Balmatta to Milagres school grounds.
Protest by Bajrang Dal
Meanwhile, outside the Milagres building, members of a saffron organisation held a protest against Dr. M Veerappa Moily for his remarks made recently, calling the saffron outfits as "evil forces".
Police forces which were in place, controlled the situation and dispersed the protestors.
It can be recalled here that many Bajrang Dal activists including Sharan Pumpwell had been briefly detained on Saturday after they attempted to gherao Dr Moily near Mangalore Airport in a bit to stop him from entering the city.
The student-activist, who was allowed to talk on stage, suddenly raised pro-Pakistan slogans. She was arrested by police after All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi snatched her mike.
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