It took 70 years for us to learn about hygiene: Dr. M.R. Ravi

Adarsha Grihini Award conferred on women achievers

Mysuru: Regretting that it took 70 years after independence to learn about hygiene and cleanliness only after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s campaign, Dr. M.R. Ravi, Commissioner, Department of Textiles and Handlooms, observed that taking such a long time showed our apathy and neglect.

He was speaking at the first anniversary celebrations of Shivasharane Hemareddy Mallamma Balaga, organised at Rajendra Bhavan in JSS Hospital premises here on Saturday.

Observing that we always fall behind in introspecting ourselves, while at the same time we show interest in judging others, Dr. Ravi said that such a tendency badly affects our thinking on social balance, progress in life and opening up ourselves to new horizons.

Recalling his experience as an administrator, Dr. Ravi said that there were many instances where people rejected his new thoughts that were aimed at the progress of the society. Noting that we are living in the land which gave birth to great philosophers and thinkers such as Gautama Buddha, Akka Mahadevi and Hemareddy Mallamma, he bemoaned that we were not treading the path shown by great philosophers and saints.

Stating that the country boasts of a history of over 5,000 years of civilisation, Dr. Ravi said it was high time we followed the principles of philosophers such as Hemareddy Mallamma. 

Noting that India has a rich legacy of respecting women, he said that the country has the distinction of having had a woman Prime Minister, even though USA, which boasts of equal rights for women in all sectors, is yet to elect a woman President.

Stressing on the need for women organisations to strive for ending domestic conflicts, Dr. Ravi complimented Hemareddy Mallamma Balaga for its services to the society.

Women achievers — Lingamma Basavarajappa, Dr. Jyothi Shankar and Kamala Girish — were conferred Adarsha Grihini award on the occasion.

Virajpet Kalancheri Mutt Seer Sri Shanta Mallikarjunaswamy graced the occasion.

Former Davanagere University Vice-Chancellor Indumathi, Mahalakshmi Sweets Proprietor Shivakumar, Hemaraddy Mallamma Balaga President G.M. Vasudeva and Hon. President G.R. Prameshwarappa were present.