NGOs have kindled hope in messy nation: Justice Venkatachalaiah

Had not non-governmental organisations (NGOs) played their roles effectively, the country would have witnessed revolution, said former chief justice of Supreme Court of India M N Venkatachalaiah.

He was speaking at a programme organised by Rotary Club of Mysore West on Thursday to confer Manavarathna award (instituted by Schevran Laboratories) on Dr R Balasubramaniam, founder of Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM), an NGO.

Venkatachalaiah who throughout his speech, lamented about the current pathetic state of the nation, said: “While the 20th century is the bloodiest period, the 21st century will be the most complex.” Quoting a statement, Venkatachalaiah said: “if you manage to live till the end of the century, you can live for ever.”

“Both electoral and political systems are in a total mess. If the people lose faith in justice of governance, it will eventually lead to destruction”, said Venkatachalaiah.

Of the total 1,200 political parties in the state, 90-odd parties contest the polls. The irony here is most function either from shops or tea shops and splurge on buying sarees and jewellery with the funds they get, said Venkatachalaiah. It is nothing but a perverse political situation, which could prove impediment to the further progress of the nation.

Society under threat

As a result, the society is constantly under the threat of disaster. What’s further worrying is 80 per cent of the national income is in the throes of 10 to 12 per cent of Indians. For the country having huge population creating facilities will indeed be a daunting task. Of the total population, 53 per cent are aged below 25 years, while 500 million are below 14 years age group. Among the youths, 40 million will be soon joining the list of voters. He reiterated that it will be a great challenge to the society to create facilities in future.

Lauding Balasubramaniam for his achievement, Venkatachalaiah said had the government replicated the service of Balu, it would have charged 10 times more. He also hailed Balasubramaniam as a jewel amongst human beings. Moreover, the organisers have chosen an eminent personality in Balu for the honour, said Venkatachalaiah.

Dr Balasubramaniam, replying to the felicitation, said the award conferred on him carries a lot of significance and responsibility because a person of the stature of Justice Venkatachaliah was conferring it. He called upon the youth to not look at things emotionally about corruption and other issues but to have an empirical outlook to overcome problems.

Rotary Mysore West president Sam Cherian, secretary V N Prasad, Ashok Kumar and others were present.