Women and Child Development Minister Jayamala said Billava community members should train their children to get top positions in the government.
Speaking after accepting felicitation and releasing ‘Sinchana’, a special supplement brought out as a part of the 31st anniversary of Yuva Vahini Kendra Samithi here on Sunday, she said there is a need to introspect on the position of Billavas in social, educational and political sectors today. More youths from the community should become IAS, IPS and KAS officers, she added.
On discrimination in society, Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council Kota Srinivas Poojary said, “As a young boy, I used to get hurt when the temple priest would take coconuts offered by us inside, after sprinkling water on it. I became Muzrai Minister at the age of 53. The administration of 36,000 temples was in my hand. The temple where the priest was accepting coconuts from outside had given me a warm welcome as a minister. I do not know whether that priest who was sprinkling water on coconut is still there. However, a lot of changes have taken place in the society over a period of time.”
Education
He said the community members should up in life through education. There is a demand before the state government to set up a separate corporation for the welfare of Ediga and Billavas.
All India Billavas’ Union President Naveenchandra D Suvarna said the youths from the community should join the mainstream of the society. Women should be given political representation, Suvarna said.