Karnataka Minister for Backward Classes, Shivaraj Tangadagi distributes prizes to winners of various competitions in the Suvarna Soudha on Tuesday December 17, 2024.
| Photo Credit: P.K. Badiger
Shivaraj Tangadagi, Minister for Kannada and Culture and Backward Classes Welfare, inaugurated 150 newly built hostels for college students, in Belagavi on Tuesday (December 17, 2024).
Every year, around 3 lakh students apply for hostels. Of them, hostel facilities are provided for over 2.46 lakh students. The rest get financial assistance under Vidya Siri scheme, the Minister said.
He addressed students at a ceremony in the Suvarna Soudha after the virtual inauguration of hostels.
He said that more than three lakh students apply for hostels every year. Hostel arrangements are being made for 2.46 thousand children and the remaining students are being provided assistance under the Vidyasiri scheme.
“Most students seeking entry into hostels run by the Backward Classes Welfare Department come from farmer, poor and labourer families. They tend to work hard, use the facilities in the hostels and rise to higher positions in life. New entrants should seek inspiration from them,’‘ he said.
Minister recalls his school days
He recalled his school days and said that he used to walk for 4-5 kilometres per day to reach his school. “Those who have experienced hardships early in life, know what are the benefits of hostel life. Our government’s aim is that everyone should be educated and that students should study diligently and become responsible citizens,’‘ he said.
”Our government is reducing the burden of such students by setting up hostels in rural areas. We are not only giving students a place to stay, but also other facilities like well stacked libraries and online coaching,’‘ he said.
He said the department of education was providing online coaching for competitive examinations to over 25,000 students of government schools and hostels. “These hostel are providing quality food, and other facilities. Students should make the best use of it,’‘ he said.
Ms. Swathi, who studied from a department hostel, said the stay had helped her take up higher studies easily. “I came from a poor farm family. Our parents could not afford to send me to school or college, that were far away. But the department hostel helped me and lakhs of students like me to continue my studies,’‘ she said.
The Minister distributed prizes to winners of various competitions. He recalled the contribution of former Chief Minister D. Devraj Urs, in putting in place the infrastructure for backward classes welfare. He had great concern for the deprived classes, including SC/ST, OBC and minorities. CM Siddharamaiah shares the same concern, he said.
He urged the wardens, teachers and staff to provide proper guidance to the students. If you do that, the children will remember you for the rest of their lives. “In the same manner, it is the responsibility of the students to remember the contribution of teachers, wardens, librarians and others in their success,’‘ the Minister said.
Regional commissioner Sanjay Shettannavar, backward classes Commissioner K. Srinivas, Joint Directors C.K. Jagadish Kumar, B.S. Pradeep and others were present.
Published – December 18, 2024 11:08 am IST
