Amidst much fanfare, hope and expectations, the ‘Jaagruthi Yathre’ – a walk for community awareness – undertaken by Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement as part of its 25th year celebrations, got underway at Saragur in H.D.Kote Taluk yesterday.
Dr.Prabhushankara, senior litterateur and Dr.M.S.Nagaraja Rao, Director of Vivekananda Institute for Indian Studies, Mysore (a sister concern of SVYM) flagged off the walk. Mr.Brahmadevaiah, President of the Saragur Jain Milan wished the walkers well and expressed hope that the Yaathre would be resounding success. Representatives of Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji of Suttur Mutt conveyed the blessings and good wishes of his Holiness. Hon’ble Justice A.J.Sadashiva, Dr.Shivakumar – the Taluk Health Officer of H.D.Kote, representatives of the Saragur Lions Club and Saragur Traders Association were also present on the occasion.
The lead-walker Dr.R.Balasubramaniam, President of SVYM explained the background and purpose of the walk and solicited cooperation and support from all quarters to make the event a success. He said that the primary objective of the walk was to raise community awareness on the NREGA and PDS schemes, Right to Information Act, Social Audit and such other powerful tools to fight corruption. He also informed that people all along the walk route have been enthusiastically waiting to receive the walkers and telephonic messages were pouring in from all parts of Karnataka, conveying good wishes.
Dr.M.R.Seetharam, Vice President of SVYM wished that the walk would become the harbinger of positive change in the community and the Govt. system and also trigger a tsunami of community awakening.
A soulful song written and composed by Mr.Nagesh, exhorting the youth to awaken and take responsibility for the nation’s development, was rendered by the SVYM team. This 350-km walk will wind its way through nearly 100 villages in 5 southern districts of Karnataka and culminate on the Gandhi Jayanthi day at M.G.Road, Bangalore. 25 people would walk the entire stretch from Saragur to Bangalore. Several dignitaries, thinkers, social activists and people in the Govt are expected to join the team along the route.
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