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Shun prayers, lamp lighting at functions, says Kerala Minister

[email protected] (Agencies)
August 29, 2016

Kasargod, Aug 29: A Kerala minister is in the eye of a storm over his remarks that lighting of lamps and singing of religious hymns at government programmes and functions at schools should be avoided.SUDHAKARAN

"Our Constitution has no religion or caste.So there is no need to light 'nilavilakku' (traditional lamps) during the inauguration of the government programmes or at functions of schools," said Public Works minister G Sudhakaran while inaugurating a seminar,'Namukku Jathiyilla' (We are not caste driven) at Muthukulam in Alappuzha district last evening.

The senior CPI(M) leader said that the state government does not subscribe to any particular caste or religion.

The minister also claimed that he had recently seen a girl student reciting a prayer in praise of a goddess at a school function.

"Though it was inappropriate,singing of religious prayers and lighting of traditional lamps had become a common practice during official functions in the state now-a-days," he added.

He also suggested that patriotic songs be sung during public functions, instead of religious hymns.
Reacting to his remarks, several people trolled the minister on the social media.

Health Minister K K Shylaja, another senior member in the Pinarayi Vijayan government, had also courted controversy recently by voicing displeasure against the recitation of Sanskrit hymns during a yoga demonstration, organised in connection with the International Yoga Day on June 21.

Comments

Siraj
 - 
Tuesday, 30 Aug 2016

What he said is 100% right. We are in a secular democratic country where the government will have any religion and which will allow its citizens to practice/preach or not to practice any particular religion

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coastaldigest.com news network
May 26,2020

Bengaluru, May 26: Former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah today held a video conference with Kannadiga businessmen in Saudi Arabia and paid heed to the woes of Saudi Kannadigas amidst covid-19 lockdown.

Sheikh Karnire, Director of Operations Expertise Contracting Co, Mohammad Mansoor, Chairman of Saara Group and President of OIC Bahrain, and Ismaeel, CEO of Realtech Industrial Services among others explained Mr Siddaramaiah the need to operate repatriation flights from Saudi Arabia to Mangaluru and Bengaluru. 

They said among the thousands of stranded Kannadigas in Saudi Arabia there are a large number of pregnant women, elderly people, patients who need immediate medical attention. 

They urged Siddaramaiah to exert pressure on the chief minister of Karnataka B S Yediyurappa and union ministers to arrange repatriation flights in the current schedule of Vande Bharat Mission itself. 

Siddaramaiah assured to take up the issue with the chief minister and other authorities concerned.

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News Network
August 4,2020

Bengaluru, Aug 4: With preparations underway for conducting exams for the final semester/ year students in the state, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Dr CN Ashwathnarayan on Monday directed the respective universities to conduct exams for the backlog papers as well.

"In the wake of COVID-19, it has been decided to hold exams only for the students of final semester/year courses. It has come to our notice that some universities have decided against conducting exams for final year students who have a backlog to clear from previous semesters. This is unpardonable," the Deputy Chief Minister said.

"Our intention is to see that the final year students finish their course. In the present situation, conducting only final semester exams won't help. We have to help the students in clearing their backlogs," added Ashwathnarayan, directing all universities to compulsorily conduct these exams.

Meanwhile, Ashwathnarayan thanked the staff and officials of various government departments who were responsible for successfully conducting the CET exams even amidst the difficult situation in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.

"In all, 1,94,419 students had registered for the CET exams, of which 1,75,428 wrote the exams. The percentage of students who took up the exams this year was equivalent to that of the previous years, in normal times," the DCM informed.

"After we successfully conducted the exams, Arunachal Pradesh is going to conduct the Public Service Commission exams on the lines of how we successfully conducted the exams. Likewise, even our KPSC has said it will conduct the exams. We must appreciate the good work of the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA), which has set an example for others," Ashwathnarayan said.

The deputy chief minister said that 33 colleges in various districts across the state faced shortage of land and that it is the responsibility of the District Commissioners (DCs) to get the lands sanctioned for all these colleges.
In Bagalkot district alone land has not been sanctioned for six degree colleges, he said.

Reacting to this, Bagalkot DC Captain Rajendra assured to look into the matter as soon as he receives the proposal from department officials.

"Similarly, there is shortage of land for five Diploma colleges and 28 ITI colleges in different parts of the state. The DCs must immediately pay attention to this. Once they get the land, buildings will come up within no time," the Karnataka deputy chief minister said.

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News Network
January 12,2020

Mysuru, Jan 12: Karnataka Minister for Primary and Secondary Education S Suresh Kumar on Saturday said that the State government is planning to introduce 'Bag less Day’ in a week from next Academic year across the State.

He said that the State government is also working out on reducing the weight of the School bags carried by children.

The Minister was speaking after inaugurating ‘Civic sense is my duty – Questioning is my right’ programme organised at Kautilya Vidyalaya in Kanakadasanagar here.

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