Mysore/Mysuru: Stating that only 10 percent of Vokkaliga community members are engaged in entrepreneurship and industries, Chamaraja MLA K. Harishgowda has called upon the rest of the community members to take up entrepreneurship.

He was speaking after inaugurating Mysuru Central Circle branch of Vokkaliga Community’s First Circle Organisation at a private hotel in city here on Saturday.

Pointing out that decades ago, the Vokkaliga community was heavily dependent on agriculture, he said that, however, with the passage of time, the farming profession is on the decline, with the community losing lands to infrastructure development and other developmental works. Observing that the community should tread the path on which the world moves, the MLA said that the community should take up entrepreneurship without completely depending on farming.

First Circle chief mentor Jayaram Rayapura, in his address, said that the Vokkaliga mindset should change in keeping with the times. He called upon the community members to open up for entrepreneurship and thus become financially empowered.

Hunsur MLA G.D. Harish Gowda said that Vokkaligas are a dominant community in Old Mysuru region. Stressing on the need for community members to adopt the Vokkaliga mindset before plunging into entrepreneurship, he said that the community should work hand in hand with other communities for the upliftment of youth and welfare of the society in general.

Mysuru Hotel Owners Association President C. Narayanagowda, Mysore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) President K.B. Lingaraju, Hotel Le-Ruchi Managing Director B. Manjunath, ACP Gajendra Prasad, Industrialist M.A. Madan Kumar, Dubai Vokkaliga Sangha President Gokul Gowda, First Circle State President Nandish, District President M.K. Yashwanth Kumar, Secretary Thyagaraju Siddegowda and others were present.