Will the nation forever remember those martyred in the Pahalgam terror attack?

Bengaluru, Aug 15 (NationPress) The nation will forever remember, with deep gratitude, those who have sacrificed their lives in the recent terrorist incident in Pahalgam and during the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan, remarked Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday.

Speaking to a gathering on the occasion of India’s 79th Independence Day, CM Siddaramaiah emphasized, “We bow our heads in humble respect to their unmatched bravery and ultimate sacrifice.”

“Since our Independence, numerous soldiers have made the ultimate sacrifice in various wars and conflicts to safeguard our nation. Even Prime Ministers have lost their lives to terror assaults. In nurturing the nation’s economy, countless workers, farmers, scholars, scientists, educators, and activists have contributed significantly. On this momentous occasion, it is our responsibility to remember and honor them as well,” he said.

“Karnataka played a pivotal role in India’s freedom struggle. Fearless individuals like Kittur Rani Chennamma, Sangolli Rayanna, Dondiya Wagh, the valiant Bedas of Halagali, Mylara Mahadevappa, and Boodi Basappa Nayak have inspired generations with their bravery. Historic sites of resistance such as Srirangapatna, Surapura, Kittur, Esuru, Vidurashwatha, Shivapura, Ankola, and many others were vibrant with the spirit of liberty. Millions participated actively, and thousands sacrificed their lives for the cause. We must honor them all with sincere gratitude,” CM Siddaramaiah articulated.

Surveys conducted by prominent national institutions reveal a troubling reality: the richest 10 percent of our population controls 80 percent of the nation’s wealth, yet they contribute merely about 3 percent of the GST collected. The remaining 90 percent of ordinary citizens who work tirelessly for their daily sustenance bear nearly 97 percent of GST obligations, CM Siddaramaiah highlighted.

“How can any economy endure under such conditions? How can we embody the spirit of our Constitution? How can we address this escalating inequality? These pressing questions have deeply concerned us. It is to seek answers to these very issues that we initiated the Guarantee Schemes and various welfare programs,” CM Siddaramaiah expressed.

The ideology of Manuvad promotes that only the powerful should thrive while the rest remain as laborers and subordinates, akin to Social Darwinism. In contrast, our Constitution firmly advocates for Samvidhanvad, the principle prioritizing the weakest and most vulnerable, he stressed.

“This year, we are establishing 500 Karnataka Public Schools (KPS) at an investment of Rs 2,500 crore. We are offering nutritious meals to 53 lakh children, including ragi malt, milk, eggs, or bananas on all school days, along with a hot midday meal,” CM Siddaramaiah announced.

Recently, the State Education Policy Commission, led by Professor Sukhadeo Thorat, submitted its report. For the first time, steps are being taken to formulate a comprehensive, Karnataka-specific education policy aimed at fostering holistic development among our youth, CM Siddaramaiah added.

“We have all noticed how our younger generations are ensnared by the distractions of mobile phones and the Internet. They are grappling with profound distress resulting in depression, anxiety, sudden anger, and hatred. We must collectively discover new strategies to tackle this societal challenge. In this regard, we have launched the ‘Mobile Bidi - Pustaka Hidi’ (‘Put Down Your Phone – Pick Up a Book') and ‘Odu Karnataka’ (‘Read Karnataka') campaigns,” CM Siddaramaiah stated.

“We have declared Karnataka a Naxal-free state. Now, we must unite in declaring our proud state drug-free. In this endeavor, every citizen should act like a warrior. The government is actively pursuing this mission, engaging all stakeholders,” the CM noted.

Karnataka is experiencing inequity in resource allocation from the Centre. There is rising concern that Constitutional bodies such as the Income Tax Department, Enforcement Directorate, CBI, and others are failing to uphold the true values of democracy and cooperative federalism as outlined in the Constitution. Every responsible citizen must raise their voice on this matter, he asserted.