[LIS-Forum] Kimane Ratnakar: A Politician with Difference

[Vasanth]

It was indeed very heartening to
not that Kimane Ratnakar, Minister for Primary and Secondary Education and
Department for Public Libraries in Karnataka State Government, saved six
precious lives with his heroic act. Thanks a lot for Prof. Shalini R. Urs for
bringing this exemplary and brave act of Kimane Ratnakar to the notice of LIS
community through this forum. 


This is very significant that we
are living in a time where politicians are exposed one side for their corrupt
practices on a daily basis and on the other side we are witnessing an upsurge
of communal politics, both are dangerous to the democratic set up of this
country. Because of politicians’ illegal act, people especially our young minds
are in recent time getting disillusioned of politics and politicians. In this
context, it is very important for sharing a good samaritan work of politicians. 
After going through Prof. Shalini
R. Urs madam posting on brave act of Kimane Ratnakar, I thought of sharing my
encounter with him. 


I have had the opportunity to
hear him twice in the land of socialist movement Shivamogga in August 2012 and
this year in April. He was the chief guest for both the programs. 


One was the two day event
organized by a group of likeminded people from Bellary on the theme
“Progressive Movements in Karnataka” (ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಕಂಡ ಚಳವಳಿಗಳು)in
Kuppalli, the birth place of modern Kannada literary icon Kuvempu in August
2012. This place also comes under the jurisdiction of Thirthahalli. Kimane
Ratnakar is elected twice from the same constituency. 


He was presiding over the
inaugural session of the program on “Progressive Movements in Karnataka”. On
this occasion, Kimane Ratnakar spoke so eloquently about the literary works of
Kuvempu and how Shivamogga a land of socialist movement responsible for
bringing a revolutionary change in land reforms act in 1970s in Karnataka
State. Through his speech one could make out easily that he is so erudite.  He came to the program alone with his car
driver and sat in last row without drawing any attention. Even he came in the
second day also and heard few speeches sitting alone. He left the avenue
without even giving any hint that he was there. This is what one of the
participants wrote about Kimane Ratnakar in the online Kannada literary website
Kendasampige.com (http://kendasampige.com/article.php?id=5615). I quote “ನಮಗೆ
ಅಚ್ಚರಿ ಮತ್ತು ವಿಶೇಷವಾಗಿ ಕಂಡಿದ್ದು ಎಂದರೆ  ಶಾಸಕಕಿಮ್ಮನೆ ರತ್ನಾಕರ. ಒಬ್ಬ ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯ ಮನುಷ್ಯನಂತೆ ಡ್ರೈವರ್
ಜತೆ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮಕ್ಕೆಬಂದಿದ್ದ ಶಾಸಕ ಯಾವ
ಹಮ್ಮುಬಿಮ್ಮಗಳಿಲ್ಲದೇ ನಿಜಕ್ಕೂ ಎಲ್ಲರ ನಿರೀಕ್ಷೆ ಮೀರಿಮಾತನಾಡಿದರು.
ಇಂತಹ ಕಾಲದಲ್ಲೂ ಇಂಥಹ ಶಾಸಕರೂ ಇದ್ದಾರಾ..?  ಎಂದು ನಮ್ಮನ್ನೇಪ್ರಶ್ನಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವಂತೆ ಮಾಡಿತು.”

Another program was the 78th birthday celebration of famous literary figure and a well known journalist P.
Lankesh in Shivamogga in April this year. On the occasion Kimane Ratnakar spoke
about the lack of political awareness among the people. He said, he would be
very happy if a person of his constituency asks him about what he did in the
State assembly, his role in policy framework, questions he raised in the
assembly sessions, funds utilized for the development of the constituency but
he regretted that instead of asking him about his work as MLA, people invite
him for home ceremonies, marriages, and birthday celebrations etc.  This is very important today we expect that
our MLA or local politicians should solve our personal problems. Because of this
precise reasons that, there is money, caste and all other illegal acts played
out openly in today’s politics.  Politicians are there to involve in policy
framework, participating in assembly discussions, not to solve personal
problems or participating in home ceremonies, marriages etc.

The new elected government in
Karnataka has given him right portfolios as Minster for Primary and Secondary Education
and also Department of Public Libraries. Both these portfolios are very
sensitive and looking for revolutionary changes. Public primary education
system in Karnataka is in very pathetic state. There is an immediate need to
improve public school infrastructure and also quality of teaching otherwise
strong private education lobby will destabilize this and keep out of poor
children from schools. Kimane Ratnakar is very much aware of this fact. He
recently spoke about nationalization of primary education. This is the first
time after so many years, State Primary Education minister is talking of
nationalization of schools. If this becomes a reality, would remain as landmark
decision in the history of primary education in Karnataka. We would also hope
that there will be a sea changing in public library system in Karnataka which
is also in dire need of attention. 


Given that fact that, his
progressive thinking mindset and humble political career, he would certainly
(as he did to save six people) do good in both this ministry to help people of
this state to educate and enrich their knowledge. 


(Views are personal)
 
-------------------------
With best wishes
Vasantha Raju N.
GFGC-Periyapatna
Mysore

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