Youth told not to blindly ape western culture

DHARWAD: If India has to transform itself in the next 15 years from a fast-developing middle-class economy to a developed economy, it must be through the use of science and technology that make patriotic contributions that conform to social ethics, said Karnataka Law University vice-chancellor J S Patil.
Inaugurating the induction ceremony of first semester students at SDM College of Engineering and Technology here on Friday, he criticized the blind aping of the western spendthrift way of life that is materialistic.He urged the youth to create an intellectual and spiritual society as envisioned by Swami Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhi.
"It is our responsibility to shun abuse of science and technology and use it to carry forward the cultural heritage of mother India," he added.
Prof. B S Shreesailan, dean, academic programme, welcomed the gathering while prof. C D Lakkannavar, chairman of undergraduate admissions, presented a report.
Principal M N Sudheendra Rao congratulated the freshers and highlighted the compulsory helmet rule, the 24x7 anti-ragging helpline, Khadi Day, college bus facility and other facilities on campus.
Freshers Akshata Kulkarni, Mukund Mudakavi, Nitin K, Medha Kulkarni and Amrut Kulkarni expressed their feelings and aspirations. Jeevendra Kumar, Mahesh Mashal and K C Shindhe spoke. Over 550 freshers and their parents were present at the function.