'Ensure people in rural areas lead a dignified life'

Theatre person Prasanna on Saturday said the governments should work towards ensuring reverse migration and enable people in rural areas to lead a dignified life.

Speaking after inaugurating a function organised to confer the Ramakrishna Hegde award by Bharat Yatra Kendra and Rajakiya Chintakara Vedike, he said all necessary steps should be taken to make people return to their native places in rural areas. This can be done by creating employment opportunities. Priority should be given to agriculture, handlooms and handicrafts, he added.

India has a large number of handlooms compared to any other country. There is a huge demand for products made out of handlooms. But the government has been encouraging powerlooms by offering subsidy. This is an injustice to the weavers, he said.

Former chief minister late Ramakrishna Hegde had much interest in art and culture. Hegde was one those rare politicians who always used to buy ticket to watch a show. He used to cancel all his engagements if he found a drama well played and interesting, he said.

Chitrakala Parishat chairman B L Shankar said it was decided to give the Ramakrishna Hegde award this year to Prasanna. But he suggested that it would be appropriate to give it to an institution than an individual. Hence, the award has been given to Charaka, an NGO, he added.