Corona times 2020 -11. About how an avid golfer joins a hard working and humble minister during lock down!

N Krishnan, the captain of our group, had created a whatsApp group 'Golf Loves Gentlemen'   to exchange messages related to golfing dates and logistics. Gradually members started posting videos on golf, jokes and other subjects of interest. Thanks to the lock down, with no golf,  messaging became hyperactive!

It all began when our golfing friend Prasanna stopped sending messages on our WhatsApp group.   He is the youngest member of our group. A happy and a focused golfer. Others in the group began to ask, 'Why no messages from Prasanna'? He was very active and kept us occupied with messages on various topics including controversial  happenings in the political arena!

Appegowda Prasanna finally surfaced with a message that he was busy doing his bit helping  Sri Suresh Kumar during the lock down to fight Corona virus! We were all impressed, and wanted to know more. Not surprising as he loved politics.

Having heard that many elected politicians are active in their locality helping those affected by the lock down.  A first hand report from one working with a political leader would be interesting. Also reassuring to know that there are politicians who take service to the country and its people, to a very high level.

Sri Suresh Kumar. Honorable Minister of Education

 He was happy to share the following:
"The work taken up by Hon. Minister Suresh Kumar during Covid-19 times is appreciable. I joined Sathish Rajgopal, Ward Committee President in Rajajinagar, who is involved in distribution of food to medicos & security personnel.  I  contributed money to buy and distribute a Food pack which contains 5 kg rice, 1 kg cooking oil, 1 kg Dal, 1 kg bella to the poor and the needy. Sathish Rajgopal is also working very hard to supply every day 3000 packs of cooked food to the needy."

We also wanted to know why he chose to work with this particular person.

He said "Sri Suresh Kumar,  the Education Minister of Karnataka is doing a great job. They feed the health workers and road-side vendors in Rajaji Nagar, his constituency. Also call the elderly to check and provide medicines. It feels worthwhile to participate in such good work."

He said he appreciated the minister for his qualities and felt fortunate to work along with him "Very active minister in Yediyurappa ministry, he has visited  19 districts, meeting   officers, teachers, head masters and education experts to experience and obtain first-hand information of their work. He has formulated new education systems to reach the rural children. He constantly speaks to the parents and the children on his visits to schools. He urges children to treat their teacher as a guardian and  aims to improve their mental growth.  He has also brought in a new system for teacher’s transfer marred by controversies. He does not  encourage teachers approaching him directly and makes sure they go through proper channels "

 

"Recently, after reading an article in kannada  newspaper  Prajaavani, about a self-sustaining school in Kadshetti halli in Thuruvekere taluq, the minister made a surprise visit to the school . The village needed a bridge for  students to reach this school. Villagers formed a trust named 'Dhythya Maramma Trust', collected money from the donors and built the bridge without government support. Attracted by  this news and impressed, the minister made this visit. He appreciated the villagers for their effort, sanctioned free books and uniforms to the students. He asked the Tahsildar to prepare a master plan for a High School as well. Villagers were very happy to meet such a pro-active Education Minister, and his assurance of further help".

"Whether he is in power or not, he continues to work for the people.  Sri Suresh Kumar is involved in educating the younger generation  in a program 'Vikasana'.  Good teachers are  invited to  take classes in Basaveswara College in Rajajinagar. The students are  from government schools. Nearly  1200 students studying  in SSLC  and  PUC  classes benefit by this extra coaching and fare better in their exams. On the final day of the coaching, teachers, parents and children attend  special talks by the education experts. 

Doctors also visit  and advise the students on food habits and mental stability during examination days."

He says he feels privileged to work with  the minister. "He is the one who works 24/7 and  365 days.  I believe he has won in all his elections  because of his hard work and humble approach. He is easily accessible and simple man to meet him."

We, his golfing friends, feel very proud of his contribution and I am very happy to present this piece of good news  in a blog amidst the hardship we all are going through.

Suresh Kumar and Satish Rajgopal