The government will soon bring out a new sports policy for the promotion of sports in the State.
Speaking at a function organised to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda here on Saturday, Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar said the sports policy would be announced after consultations with sportspersons and experts in the field.
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Mr. Shettar said under the sports policy, the government would establish the Swami Vivekananda Yuva Kendras at the gram panchayat, taluk, district and State-level. Yuva kendras would not only propagate teachings of the saint but also undertake various activities for the benefit of youth, he said.
Swami Vivekananda was a great patriot, thinker, spiritual leader and lover of humanity.
Recalling his contributions, the Chief Minister said he relentlessly worked to bring social and economic equality among all sections of society. His engagement with the country’s problems made him a social philosopher, Mr. Shettar said.
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Mr. Shettar said many from the western world have been influenced by the saint’s life and message.
His teachings bridged the gap between the west and the east and popularised India’s rich cultural heritage.
Inspiration for others
Several leaders, including industrialist Jamestji Tata, were influenced by Swami Vivekananda’s principles and contributed to the society in various forms, Mr. Shettar said.
Minister for Youth Services and Sports M.P. Appachu Ranjan said Swami Vivekananda was a guiding spirit for the youth. He said the sports policy would be announced after studying the policies of other countries and States in India.
Lok Sabha members and BJP leaders Ananth Kumar and P.C. Mohan and Congress MLA Roshan Baig attended the programme. All leaders flagged off a Yuva Jatha. Nearly thousand students wearing T-shirts and caps bearing Swami Vivekananda’s photograph participated in the jatha.
The Primary and Secondary Education and Youth Services and Sports departments organised the programme.
Upalokayukta
Asked about the Supreme Court’s order on squashing the Upalokayukta apointment, Mr. Shettar said the government welcomed the verdict.
It justified the government’s stance that the Governor can appoint the Lokayukta and Upalokayukta only on the advice of the Chief Minister.
Decision soon
The Cabinet would take a decision soon on the appointment of candidates for both offices, he said.
The Lokayukta post has remained vacant for more than a year now.