Make NCC, NSS, scouts membership must for degrees: VP

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu has called for making the membership of NSS, NCC or the Bharat Scouts and Guides mandatory for college degrees.

"It is important for youth to cultivate these disciplinarian rules to inculcate the humanitarian values in life," he said at an event to mark the birth centenary of Bengaluru's former mayor, V P Deenadayalu Naidu, here on Tuesday. Naidu was also the national commissioner of the Bharat Scouts and Guides.

"We need to elect a people's representative based on their calibre, character, conduct and capacity. But caste, community, cash and criminality have become the norm. Students are taught science in school. Unfortunately, values are not being taught and it is necessary for youth to abide by these human values," Venkaiah said.

On encroachment of lakes, the Vice President said: "Lakes, roads and rivers are being encroached upon mercilessly, leading to drastic changes such as floods in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Kodagu. These are man-made disasters and this exploitation against nature should stop."

He continued: "Pollution and congestion have become so common in cities. A city will not become smart just because Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced it in the project."

While Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara skipped the programme, Governor Vajubhai Vala was present. JD(S) legislator Bandeppa Kashempur, as a representative from the chief minister's office, said Kumaraswamy could not take part as he was feeling unwell in the morning.