I will give Corruption-free Governance – Pramod Madhwaraj During Felicitation
Mangaluru: Mogaveer organizations of DK district in association with the Mogaveer Yuva Vedike jointly organised a felicitation programme for the newly appointed Minister of State for Fisheries, Youth Services and Sports, Pramod Madhwaraj, at the Town Hall here, on July 23.
The programme began with an invocation. Leeladhar Baikampady welcomed the gathering. The programme was inaugurated by the Managing Trustee of G Shankar Family Trust, Dr G Shankar by lighting the traditional lamp along with other dignitaries on the dais.
Addressing the gathering, Dr G Shanker said, “All parties consider caste and creed during the distribution of political seats. In this regard, we have to be united. Today, we have felicitated Pramod and given him roses but along with the roses, there are also thorns. We have both grown in the same community. I come from a very poor family and know the difficulties of Mogaveers. And even though Pramod was born in a rich family, we both know the difficulties of our community. Now, God has blessed me and through my trust, I am helping the Mogaveer community. Our community is felicitating us, but if their demands are not fulfilled, they will protest against us in front of the DC office.”
He further said that when Abhaychandra Jain was the minister, he had worked for the welfare of the fishermen community. “We want Pramod Madhwaraj to continue doing the good work.”
Addressing the gathering, Chairman of Alva’s Educational Trust Dr Mohan Alva said that Mogaveers have dedicated their lives to the betterment of the society. “We should salute their dedication, sacrifice, simplicity, and bravery. Mogaveers have sacrificed a lot for the development work of MRPL, KREC, NMPT, MCF and Nagarjuna. If industries have flourished today, then it is because of the Mogaveer community. Pramod has grown with a political background. His parents were good politicians. When they had won in the elections and served in any position, they had worked without corruption.”
“Abhaychandra Jain is the best sports minister I have ever seen in my lifetime. He has brought life in the sports field. He has also contributed a lot to the Alva’s campus. I will never forget Jain’s contribution in the field of sports,” said Alva praising the former Sports minister. He urged the new minister to bring a uniform sports policy to the entire state. He also advised Pramod to do justice to the portfolio as well as the Mogaveer community by implementing the fisheries policy.
Former minister Abhaychandra Jain speaking on the occasion said, “The Congress government led by CM Siddaramaiah gave me an opportunity to be a minister for three years and I have done my duties well. I would like to thank the CM for giving me a free hand during my tenure for the development of the state as a minister for sports.”
Congratulating Madhwaraj, MLA J R Lobo said, “When Pramod Madhwaraj was given the fisheries ministry, I was the first person to be happy because, during meetings, we used to sit together and discuss the problems of the fishermen community. When we strengthen the fisheries and develop our ports, the revenue will increase.”
Lobo advised the minister to fulfill the needs of the fishermen community and be a model minister so that his name would be etched in golden letters in the state’s history.
In his felicitation speech, minister Pramod Madhwaraj thanked all the Mogaveer organisations for felicitating him by inviting leaders from all the political parties. “Being the member of the Mogaveer community, I am pleased to accept the felicitation from my own community. When I was 28 years old, I became the president of the Mogaveer community and now at the age of 48, I have become the minister of fisheries. God will surely bless those who have worked with integrity and transparency, and I am a living example.”
Madhwaraj said that of the 31 candidates, who had won the elections for the first time and became MLAs, only 2 MLAs were given the opportunity to be ministers. “I won the elections with a margin of more than 40000 votes. I have won the elections because of the people from all communities who have voted for me. I will always work for the welfare of the people from all walks of life. Recently, I met the All India Congress Committee president Sonia Gandhi and promised to give a corruption-free governance. This is the first time that a member of the Mogaveer community has been given charge of the fisheries ministry.”
He further said, “I have been given the post of a minister under the Mogaveer quota and I will surely do justice to my community. A uniform Fisheries policy should be implemented throughout the country because there is no border in the sea. We need to bring all the fisheries ministers from the state and centre to implement a uniform fisheries policy. I will also work for the implementation of the sports policy. I will work till the last breath of my life for the welfare of the society.”
The students from Mogaveer Community who have excelled in their 10th and PUC were felicitated by the minister on the occasion.
Chief Whip Ivan D’Souza, MLA Moideen Bava and Ajith Kumar Rai Maladi also spoke on the occasion. Vijay Kumar Shetty, Lalaji Mendon, Loknath Bolar and others were also present.