Students of Communication for Development (C4D) of Xavier Institute of Communications with Maharashtra Governor Vidyasagar Rao.
Mumbai : Maharashtra, C Vidyasagar Rao Governor expressed his delight at meeting Communication for Development students of Xavier Institute of Communications, Mumbai.The students, led by their course head and senior journalist abhay mokashi, called on the Governor yesterday at the Raj Bhavan.Rao told the students that as the Chancellor of 20 universities each in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, he has had the opportunity of meeting students of various universities and attending convocations, but he was happy to meet the Communication for Development students, since they had chosen to join a course which caters to the needs of various sections of the society, rather than going courses which carry glamour.Initially, he asked the students to express their views on developmental issues and the situation in the society, as they see it.The students expressed concern on issues like the condition of the farmers, the non-availability of water in certain areas, lack of infrastructure in the rural areas and lack of housing, leading to people living on the roads and poor sanitation in the country.The Governor said that he was pleased to see that the students are aware and concerned about these issues and assured them that the country has enough money to take care of these issues and with the right decisions and policies, these problems could be solved.He appealed to the C4D students of Xavier Institute of Communications to make suggestions to the Government on how the problems they stated could be resolved. He said that the Government is always welcome to suggestions from the people at large.The Governor appreciated the efforts of the government towards development and mentioned that the Prime Minister’s initiative of Swachh Bharat Mission has peeped into the minds of people, though it will take time for an overall implementation. An example of indication would be the witnessing that villages have headed towards zero open defecation. “With our commitment and dedication we can do it” he voiced.The Governor also mentioned his special responsibility as a Governor of Maharashtra under Article 371(2) as well as the Fifth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. He cited that the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution has been perfectly exercised through which policies have reached the lowest strata of citizens. He believes that through this the tribals could be empowered. With the guidance of the Governor, there have been several implementations towards empowerment. The government has been successful in bringing honey, bamboo, and tendu leaves under the control of the Gram Sabha. He believes that if we encourage indigenous bamboo productions, they would be of world-class standards and would support indigenous livelihoods. He added that it is necessary to educate the tribals and the rural people to make them more proficient. The tribal sub plan funds estimate to Rs.5000crore of which five per cent has been sent to the Gram Sabha for purposes. The Governor also mentioned about the initiative of nutrition supplement in the anganwadis as well as that all water problems in the rural areas would be solved under the ‘Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan’.He concluded saying, “Let us try to bring a positive change in the society”.
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