Mangaluru, Feb 12: Veteran actor Nana Patekar on Sunday expressed anguish on religious groups dividing society on the lines of caste, and rued people’s attitude of tolerating misrule by politicians. He reiterated that reservation should be for the economically backward.
In his speech at an event to celebrate Ramakrishna Mission’s 200th Swachh Mangaluru campaign, Mr. Patekar said it was unfortunate that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had to give a call for a campaign to keep the surroundings clean when it should have been “our duty”.
He said with nuclear families the concentration was more on oneself and there was no love for land and region. The walls built on the lines of religion and caste were preventing people from understanding each other’s suffering.
“If these walls are broken the society comes together and cleaning will happen on its own,” he said.
Mr. Patekar said the electorate should make politicians work to fulfil their needs. “We are still in the mindset of the Raja (king) and Praja (citizens). If we continue to tolerate, we cannot see any change,” he said.
Laying emphasis on cleanliness, he said: “Prime Minister Narendra Modi started the Swacch Bharat campaign, but people are yet to learn the campaign’s significance. It is sad that the prime minister himself had to start a movement to keep the nation clean. Swacch Bharat should not be limited to a programme but be converted into a lifestyle,” he said and lauded Ramakrishna Mission for its endeavour.
“People are after money but the country can prosper only when we think about our society and the nation. When we go abroad, we follow their rules and appreciate them and their cleanliness. But when we return to India, we forget all those. One must follow the rules in out nation as well,” he said.
Former Gadag MLA D.R. Patil, RSS leader Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat and Mangaluru Ramakrishna Mutt head Swami Jitakamananda spoke.
Earlier, Mr. Patekar inaugurated the paintings on the compound walls of the University College and Government Wenlock Hospital, along Hampankatta Road. He also inaugurated the refurbished bus shelter and autorickshaw park at Hampankatta.
Comments
I appreciate Mr. Patekar statement. However, i could not understand what the hate monger Kalla bhatta is doing there. He was he invited. He speaks only about hate and there is no word \love\" in his dictionary."
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