25.12.2011: CM Sri DV Inaugurates Rajathadri & other projects

Photo courtesy: Janardan Kodavoor

Report: Daijiworld

On the occasion of Christmas on Sunday December 25, the aesthetically built district complex at Manipal near here, was dedicated to the public.

Karnataka Chief Minister, D V Sadananda Gowda, who inaugurated the building, promised that he will strive to rule the state in such a way so as not to lose the confidence reposed on him by the people, whose affection for him, he said, had catapulted him to this position of power.

“This is the day on which Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a statesman and politician with high integrity and ethics, was born. I am happy to inaugurate the complex in the presence of my political mentors,” he explained.

He also announced decisions like sanctioning of 50 additional posts to the district, conversion of the old taluk office block into mini Vidhana Soudha, building of quarters for employees, giving clearance for spending the excess amount of Rs 1.8 crore from the land revenue department for administrative purpose and acquisition of vehicles.

He also announced release of one third of the project cost for the construction of Rajatadri-Kolalagiri Bridge, which, once executed, will cut the distance to the district complex by two kms for people coming from the direction of Brahmavar and Kundapur.

Dr V S Acharya, speaking on the occasion, hailed local MLA, Raghupati Bhat, for putting in efforts for realizing the district’s dreams of ‘Rajatadri’, the district complex, foundation stone for which had been laid during the period of erstwhile Chief Minister, J H Patel. Raghupati Bhat, who gratefully recollected the cooperation he received from the ministers and others towards making the district complex a reality, said that the landmark building could come up because of the second phase amount of Rs 7.65 crore released by the government. He announced that the district deputy commissioner would start functioning from the new complex from Monday December 26 onwards.

Rural development and panchayat raj minister, Jagadish Shettar, who noted that a unique platform, a venue for those who want to stage protest at the complex, has been built here, wished that this platform will never be used. Expressing his appreciation for the building design and execution, he said that honest officials, who understand the genuine wishes of the government and implement the programmes, and serve the people well, can pave way for overall progress of the district.

MLAs, H Gopal Bhandary, Lalaji R Mendon, and Lakshminarayana, MLCs, Ganesh Karnik and Srinivas Poojary, chairman of Committee for Implementation of Third Finance Commission Recommendations, A G Kodgi, zilla panchayat president, Katapadi Shankar Poojary, district deputy commissioner, M T Reju, inspector general of police (western range), Pratap Reddy, superintendent of police, Ravikumar, Ramesh Jhalaki, and others were present at the dais.

Kudi Vasant Shetty presented the programme. A cultural programme, ‘Tulunada Vaibhava’ was presented on the occasion.

Thereafter, the Chief Minister chaired the progress review meeting held at the district auditorium.

25.12.2011: One of its kind in the country, Udupi DC office Complex: Rajathadri

With 42 Government offices in one complex, this ultra modern DC office complex is a dream come true!

The complex has three blocks—A, B and C.

‘A’ block will house DC office, while ‘C’ block will have Zilla Panchayat and ‘B’ block has fulfledged AC hall with a capacity to seat 500 persons at a time.

The offices which will function in the new building are—’A’ block—DC office, Additional DC office, Information Technology officer, City Development Cell, department of religious endowment and election section.

The first floor of the ‘A’ block will house district registrar, labour department, land survey technical assistant and deputy director, food and civil supplies deputy director, liason officer, Nirmithi kendra, Mines and geology, Wakf Board, Information Department. The second floor will house—tourism department, housing board, auditor, weights and measures, pension and small savings and urban/rural project.

The ‘B’ block will have hall, the first floor of the ‘B’ block will have women and child welfare department, sericulture, social forestry/Forest department, khadi and handloom, horticulture, watershed development department. The second floor will have ports and fisheries department, khadi and handloom board, Backward classes development corporation, social welafare department, Ambedkar development corporation. The basement of the ‘C’ block will house treasury, bank, post office.

The ground floor will house Zilla Panchayat hall, ZP President, Vice-President, CEO office, MP office. The first floor will have Kannada and culture department, Employment exchange, Handloom department, Panchayat Raj engineering.

The second floor will have DDPI office, Adult education and Agriculture department.

Other amenities: Protestors Park, Dandi March sculpture, Helipad, Parking area, Food court, Garden

Udupi DC office complex: Rajathadri

News: Udayavani/Photo: Janardan Kodavoor

English Version

Food technology, the next big thing: V S Acharya

BANGALORE: “With ever increasing population and enhanced consumer awareness about healthy food, it is evident that food technology will grow soon in the nation,” said Minister for Higher Education Dr V S Acharya on Thursday.
Inaugurating a national conference on ‘Recent Trends in Food Science and Nutrition Research’ organised by Dr P Sadananda Maiya, he said: “With sudden transformation in the lifestyle of Indians, particularly of those in urban areas, there is a dramatic increase in the demand for processed food.”
Dr Acharya stressed the need for innovation in the field of food technology. IBN Live
“India is the 3rd largest producer of food grains and the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables,” said Dr Acharya, while adding that processing and preservation was not remarkable in the country.

State cannot interfere with "personal beliefs".

Interview: TOI : Stanley Pinto, TNN | Dec 4, 2011, 06.30PM IST

MANGALORE: From terming the 'Made Made Snana' ritual as innocuous last year, muzrai minister V S Acharya has come a long way this year, stating the state cannot interfere with "personal beliefs".

Acharya differentiates between nude worship at Chandragutti and Made Made Snana at Kukke Subrahmanya, saying that when the issue of morality comes or public order is under threat, the state will interfere, and not otherwise.

You said it's not the business of the state to interfere with matters of faith. Will you support any ritual based on faith? The Constitution is very clear. It talks about fundamental rights like freedom of speech and expression and these freedoms are there for individuals, provided they abide with public morality and order. In this case, one cannot do anything now as it is not compulsory.

What about nude worship (bettale seve) at Chandragutti in Shimoga? Chandragutti is a different issue. There was nudity - hence the question of public morality and public order came the fore. If some people are not well versed with the Constitution, I cannot help them.

There's opposition from some quarters. Won't you interfere? That's not the issue. If it was compulsory, certainly there is cause of action for us to interfere. When there is no force, the question of our interference will not arise.

What do you have to say about the dissenting note from a cabinet colleague? What he (Kannada & culture minister Karjol) said was: ' When people are educated, such things might slowly disappear'. There was no dissent - that's media creation.

Karnataka Dalit Sangharsha Samitiwantsabanontheritual, claiming such an unhygienic practice will lead to contagion. Since you're a doctor, what's your view?The basic philosophy of such rituals is to get indirect immunity from diseases in the form of antigens and antibodies. In Udupi, there is an Anjaneya Temple where food is served on the floor. It may be another form of getting antibodies and antigens for immunity. In the age of chips, micro- and nanotechnology, we have to believe this. Because when nanotechnology was not there people asked questions about homoeopathy. Samuel Hahnemann (considered the father of homoeopathy) said dilution and further dilution increases potency of medicine. In allopathy, we do exactly the opposite. Worse the fever, higher the dosage. Now, it looks like homoeopathy may act like a trigger to boost immunity.

Rationalists say if 'Made Snana' has curative powers, they want randomized controlled trials to verify it. It's a personal choice. You cannot ask me to undergo a test. It's voluntary. There may come a day where somebody may tabulate data and highlight whether it has curative properties or not. In the absence of such data, one cannot say anything about tradition.

Why cannot the government create awareness regarding these rituals?

Hasn't the media has done enough to highlight it? So much so that the attendance on the second day higher and even more on the third, creating problems of crowd control. You (the media) unnecessarily hype it up. You should understand the reality (about faith).

World disabled day 2011

Udupi, Dec 4: Women and child development department of Karnataka state, Mahajana Union of specially challenged, Special School Teachers’ Union, and Udupi district specially challenged independent service groups, jointly observed ‘World Disabled Day’ at Shamili Hall in Ambalapady on Saturday December 3.

District in-charge minister Dr V S Acharya, inaugurating the programme, said that as per the census of 2011, Karnataka state has more than 9 lac specially challenged persons.

“In Udupi district, there are 17,050 specially challenged persons. Of these, 7,758 have been given identity cards. There are 14 institutions serving specially challenged persons. About 88 children have been provided with Rs 78,700 as scholarships. Grant allotment is done on the basis of the number of students to the ratio of teachers. Those with 75 percent physical disability have been provided a monthly pension of Rs 1,000. In the coming budget, proposals are on the anvil about increasing the income limit for specially challenged persons and also removing the income limit criteria completely,” he said.

On the occasion, 14 people were felicitated including Pramila Pinto, medal winner in ‘Special Olympics 2011’ held in Athens, Greece. Handicrafts made by specially challenged persons were displayed at the venue. Daijiworld