Mangaluru: The governor of Karnataka has an extreme likeness to the colour of his preference. Addressing a gathering at the inaugural ceremony of golden jubilee of Vivekananda Degree College and Vivekananda Pre-University College at Puttur, near here, Governor Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala pledged to achieve ‘saffronization’ in the state. He said that ‘saffronization’ is nothing but way of Indian life.
Vala, who has his roots in the RSS, was handpicked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be governor of Congress-governed Karnataka, a state where Amit Shah led Bharatiya Janata Party intends to strengthen itself in the coming days.
Slamming the people who criticize ‘saffronization’, the governor said: “We proudly speak about saffronisation, will continue to do so, and achieve saffronisation as well.”
Vala said that convent education can introduce students only to the letters, science and technology, but it can’t impart culture – something that ancient Indian texts do.
The governor said that ancient scriptures have shown a way of life. If it was sought to be replicated now what was wrong in doing so, he asked.
The governor also asked girl students of the college to realize their self-belief and courage.
Praising Israeli girls for fighting against Palestinians, Vala lamented that Indian girls don’t do so. Great men in Indian history, from Shivaji to Gandhi, are remembered because of their mothers, he said.
Invoking Swami Vivekananda, Vala said his exhortation “Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached” was drawn from the Upanishads. “Swami Vivekananda, Dayananda Saraswati and other leaders held the saffron flag aloft and espoused Indianness,” he stated.
