By The Hindu Bureau
Copyright thehindu
“Knowledge can conquer the world and the power of knowledge has been the driving force in shaping our understanding of the world and improving our lives,” Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge has said.
He was speaking after inaugurating the renovated S.M. Pandit Rang Mandir auditorium and the Teachers Day programme here on Wednesday.
Mr. Kharge said that the State is advancing as a capital of knowledge and skills. The abundance of a talented workforce and skilled manpower makes the State the natural choice for technology and knowledge-driven industries.
Noting that people across the globe are praising the State and its contribution to skill development, Mr. Kharge said that besides economic policies, prioritizing education and knowledge plays a crucial role in attracting investments.
He said that teachers are not merely providers of knowledge but they are also sculptors of thought who shape the future of children by imparting knowledge. Teachers can be rightly called nation builders, the Minister added.
He asked teachers to help cultivate scientific temperament among students, encourage them to ask more questions and feed their natural curiosity.
Mr. Kharge said that the Puranas are the foundational roots of Indian culture and an effective channel for moral values. However, the Puranas are at times misinterpreted as historical records or scientific texts, he claimed. So, children should be encouraged to develop a scientific outlook, he said.
He said that teachers can be seen as societal illuminators who can bring about positive change in society similar to how social reformers like the Buddha, Basaveshwara and B.R. Ambedkar enlightened people by promoting values of equality and social justice.
Expressing displeasure over the SSLC exam results in the district in the previous academic years, Mr. Kharge called upon teachers to take steps for improving the district’s performance in the upcoming SSLC exams.
Three students who secured the highest marks in the 2024-25 SSLC exams were rewarded with a laptop, while 23 teachers who received the Best Teacher Award were felicitated.
The renovation works on the S.M. Pandit Rang Mandir was taken up at a cost of ₹4.80 crore under Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board.
The renovated auditorium has 855 seats with 552 on the ground floor and 303 on the first floor. It has been modernized with advanced sound systems, multi-colour lighting, pushback seats and other amenities.
MLCs Shashil G. Namoshi and B.G. Patil, Mayor Varsha Jane, Deputy Commissioner Fauzia Tarannum and Police Commissioner Sharanappa Dhage were present.
