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 -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.