Colourful procession marks inauguration of 31st Krishi Mela

Bellevision Media Network

Bajagoli, Karkala, 05 February 2011: A colourful procession comprising various artistic amusements marked the beginning of the Krishi mela. The procession included ‘keelu kudure,’ ‘colourful umbrellas,’ drums ‘caparisons,’ tiger dance and kathakalli dolls. It also displayed artistic human replicas of folk arts of Tulunadu. Loads of Mattugulla and paddy bags were part of the procession. L C Soans of Moodbidri was honoured with Lifetime Achievement in Agriculture on the occasion.

 

Expansion, inclusion and excellence should be the motto of the government policies based on knowledge to bring all under the crease of development, said Union Minister for Law and Justice M Veerappa Moily. Speaking after inaugurating 31st Krishi Mela organised by Sri Khshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP) at Bajagoli on Friday, he said knowledge should not be caged. The doors of knowledge should be open to all. It should be inclusive in approach. Knowledge should not be the asset of particular group, class, individual or society. India is at advantage for being youngest country in the world with large number of youth force making it to the future. “We can take maximum benefits of this significant factor for the next 25 to 30 years.

 

India has two options, demographic dividend or demographic disaster. Demographic disaster may be the resort if we are not utilising the population explosion suitably in the process of development. The US was in similar position with large number of youths some 200 years ago. The result is before us indicating judicious and intelligent use of available human resources by America,” he said.

 

 

Moily said the proposal for ‘Paschima Vahini’ project is before the Central government and the government has earmarked Rs 812 crore for the purpose. It enables the construction of lift irrigation projects besides joining rivers that exist in the area. The project is expected to get approval from the Centre shortly, he said.

 

The Union government’s programme of setting up of National Skill Centres across the country will empower the skill development agenda generating more than 500 million skilled labourers in the next two decades. The project is envisaged at the cost of Rs 35,000 crore. Besides, the government is investing nearly Rs 80,000 crore for higher education programmes, he added.

 

Quoting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Moily said this decade is the decade of innovation. Measures will be taken to support farmers with novel scientific and technological innovations, he added.

 

- DHNS