Union Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Anant Kumar Hegde said that he would make all efforts to establish a Skill University in Kalaburagi as a step to fight backwardness of the region and pave the way for development.
He was addressing a public meeting after inaugurating a Skillathon at PDA Engineering College auditorium here on Wednesday. The event was organised jointly by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and the Hyderabad Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industries (HKCCI).
“We have already established seven Skill Universities across the country within the last three months. I will make all attempts to bring one such university to Kalaburagi. I am not here on an election campaign. I am here as an Union Minister. Whatever I speak, it is our commitment. We will do it,” he said.
Obliquely targeting the Congress, Mr. Hegde said that the prolonged rule of successive governments in the past paid little attention to developing the backward region.
“Laying foundation stones to government buildings and roads alone is not development. Developing entrepreneurship among youth, helping them establish industries and thus, causing rapid industrial growth, are about laying the foundations to a brighter India,” he said.
The outspoken Minister, who is known for his aggressiveness in countering his political and ideological opponents, was apparently cautious this time by avoiding political comments. Barring a couple of instances, he dedicated most of his address to motivating the youth towards entrepreneurship. Earlier in the day too, he avoided talking to the media.
“Before the advent of the British in India, skill development was very much natural in the country. The sons of blacksmiths, carpenters, goldsmiths and farmers would become blacksmiths, carpenters and farmers, respectively by working with their fathers and naturally developing the skills required in their respective fields. English education disturbed this pattern,” he observed.
Comparing Kalaburagi and other parts of arid Hyderabad Karnataka region with Israel, the Minister stressed that the latter should be the role model for the backward area.
“Jews had no land of their own for 1,800 years. They knew that they were Jews and their original place was Jerusalem. Eventually, they were able to build their own nation Israel on barren land. Making use of each drop of water, they have built one of the most prosperous countries in the world. It became possible because of the determination and hardships of the Jews. It should be a role model for Hyderabad Karnataka region which has similar weather conditions,” he said.
The Minister asked HKCCI to conduct a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis to evaluate the region so as to design a development roadmap. “Come up with a concrete roadmap, our government will help you,” he said.
Bhagwant Khuba, Bidar Lok Sabha member, Dattatreya Patil Revoor, MLA, Amarnath Patil and B.G. Patil, MLCs, Revu Naik Belamgi and Baburao Chauhan, former Ministers, Shashil G. Namoshi, Doddappagouda Patil Nariboli and other BJP leaders were present.
