Union Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Anantkumar 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 Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and 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 to make election campaign. I am here as 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 develop the backward region. “Laying foundation stones to government buildings and roads alone is not development but developing entrepreneurship among youth, helping them establish industries and thus causing rapid industrial growth and laying foundation stone to brighter India,” he said.
“Before the British came, skill development was very much natural in the country. The sons of blacksmiths, carpenters, goldsmiths and farmers would work with their fathers and naturally develop the skills in their respective fields. The English education disturbed the pattern,” he said.
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 former.
“The Jews had no land of their own for 1800 years. They knew that they were Jews and their original place was Jerusalem. Finally, they could build their own nation of Israel on the barren land. Making use of each drop of water, they could build one of the most prosperous countries in the world. It was possible because of the determination and hardships of Jews. It should be a role model for Hyderabad Karnataka region which is similar in terms of weather conditions,” he said.
The Minister asked HKCCI to conduct a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis to evaluate the HK 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 Belamagi and Baburao Chauhan, former Ministers, Shashil G. Namoshi, Doddappagouda Patil Nariboli and others BJP leaders were present.
