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MV Kamath turns nostalgic at his 90th birthday function in Manipal

September 8, 2011

Manipal, September 8: Manipal Institute of Communication, an affiliate of Manipal University, on Wednesday celebrated the 90th birthday of veteran journalist Sri M V Kamath at Chaitya Hall, Fortune Inn Valley View, Manipal.

Delivering the felicitation speech Pro-Chancellor of Manipal university Dr HS Ballal recalled a few anecdotes from the life of Mr. Kamath and urged the budding journalists to learn from him.

The Director of Manipal Institute of Communication, Varadesh Hiregange, spoke about the marathon achievements of Mr. Kamath and said that Manipal University was indeed privileged to have him as their Honorary Director.

There was a huge cheer from the crowd as the birthday boy addressed the audience and well-wishers.

Recalling his journey of life Mr. Kamath said that perhaps he was the only one living to have covered the speech of Jinnah, among the few surviving to have seen India's massive freedom struggle and to have witnessed the lowering of the Union Jack on the midnight of 14th August , 1947 and to have written reports on the historic event. He also recalled how the murderer of Gandhi, Nathuram Godse saluted following his conviction. He said he had never seen such a thing before.

He lovingly recalled his days as a journalist in Mumbai and claimed that Amitabh Bacchan had visited his house for some advice. He also heaped praise on Morarji Desa, “who tolerated my criticism with a smile”.

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News Network
January 23,2026

Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot read only three lines from the 122-paragraph address prepared by the Congress-led state government while addressing the joint session of the Legislature on Thursday, effectively bypassing large sections critical of the BJP-led Union government.

The omitted portions of the customary Governor’s address outlined what the state government described as a “suppressive situation in economic and policy matters” under India’s federal framework. The speech also sharply criticised the Centre’s move to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, commonly referred to as the VB-GRAM (G) Act.

Governor Gehlot had earlier conveyed his objection to several paragraphs that were explicitly critical of the Union government. On Thursday, he confined himself to the opening lines — “I extend a warm welcome to all of you to the joint session of the State legislature. I am extremely pleased to address this august House” — before jumping directly to the concluding sentence of the final paragraph.

He ended the address by reading the last line of paragraph 122: “Overall, my government is firmly committed to doubling the pace of the State’s economic, social and physical development. Jai Hind — Jai Karnataka.”

According to the prepared speech, the Karnataka government demanded the scrapping of the VB-GRAM (G) Act, describing it as “contractor-centric” and detrimental to rural livelihoods, and called for the full restoration of MGNREGA. The state government argued that the new law undermines decentralisation, weakens labour protections, and centralises decision-making in violation of constitutional norms.

Key points from the unread sections of the speech:

•    Karnataka facing a “suppressive” economic and policy environment within the federal system

•    Repeal of MGNREGA described as a blow to rural livelihoods

•    VB-GRAM (G) Act accused of protecting corporate and contractor interests

•    New law alleged to weaken decentralised governance

•    Decision-making said to be imposed by the Centre without consulting states

•    Rights of Adivasis, women, backward classes and agrarian communities curtailed

•    Labourers allegedly placed under contractor control

•    States facing mounting fiscal stress due to central policies

•    VB-GRAM (G) Act accused of enabling large-scale corruption

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