Puttaparthi, November 23: Prime minister Manmohan Singh has called for systematic promotion of value-based education in the country to ensure that the present day youth become responsible citizens tomorrow.
Delivering the 29th convocation of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning at Prasanthi Nilayam here today, Singh stressed the need for students to attain academic excellence coupled with human values like self-knowledge, realisation, sacrifice, unity and fraternity.
The country should be able to produce global leaders in all fields by providing excellent opportunities to the youth, he said and appealed to students and others to share their knowledge and prosperity with the less fortunate people who did not have equal opportunities in life.
Lauding the institute for introducing new and latest disciplines like biochemistry, he wanted more research to be done in the field of humanities too. He also complimented Sathya Sai Trust for providing drinking water, health care, education, etc.
In his address Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba said that sterling character and human values were very important for both men and women. “Peace and harmony in individual homes will promote national harmony and unity,” he said and exhorted women to be a role model to other members of the family and imbibe virtues in them.
Baba, who gave away gold medals to 24 students for their outstanding performance, exhorted the student not to depart from the path of virtue but stick to moral values throughout life.
Manmohan Singh’s wife Gurusharan Kaur, governor ESL Narasimhan, chief minister K Rosaiah, Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa, Tamil Nadu deputy chief minister MK Stalin, Union minister Vilasarao Deshmukh, Punjab governor Shivraj Patil, ministers J Geeta Reddy and N Raghuveera Reddy, industrialist Ratan Tata, DGP K Aravinda Rao, vicechancellor J Shasidhar Prasad and a large member of devotees and others were present at the Sai Kulvanth Hall, the venue of the convocation.
Rosaiah shouts back at Cong protesters
PUTTAPARTHI: Chief minister K Rosaiah was upset with the followers of Puttparthy Congress leader Mohan Reddy who created a scene at the Puttparthy airport today when they were not allowed to meet the chief minister. Reddy’s followers tore the posters and banners, and shouted slogans against the chief minister. A visibly upset Rosaiah shouted back at them. “Officials have to take care of the security and some times they stop even the VIPs. What do you want me to do? will you keep quiet if I resign and go?” he said to them.
PUTTAPARTHI: Chief minster K Raosaiah initiated several developmental works taken up with an outlay of Rs 52 crore at Ganesh Circle here today.
The works include road development, strengthening the revetment of the Chitravathi river banks, improving power and rural water supplies, digging of contour trenches and construction of a Silparamam.
Tourism minister J Geetha Reddy, agriculture minister N Raghuveera Reddy, MP Nimmala Kistappa, MLA Palle Raghunatha Reddy, collector Janardhan Reddy, superintendent of police MK Sinha and others were present.
The chief minister, who was scheduled to stay here till tomorrow afternoon to participate in the birthday celebrations of Sri Sathya Saibaba, cut short his tour and left for Hyderabad in the evening.
The chief minister told newsmen that he had a pressing engagement in New Delhi on Tuesday.
–Agencies