17th Sindhu Darshan Yatra concludes

About 1,000 pilgrims from six states of the country attended this year’s annual pilgrimage to Sindhu in Leh. Selected pilgrims from Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Jammu & Kashmir joined the Yatra. It began on June 24 and completed on June 26, at Sindhu Ghat of Leh. ?

NOBW questions banking licences to corporate houses

National Organisation of Bank Workers (NOBW) questioned the government intention to grant licences to some corporate houses. The organisation appealed to the Central government to rethink over the decision.

In the last more than five decades, the public sector banks have played a great role in transforming class banking to mass  banking and in ameliorating the economic condition of the masses. But in the name of banking sector reforms, there are attempts to dilute the role of public sector banks and to increase the influence of private vested interests in the ownership and functioning of the banks.  Banking regulations are amended to suit this agenda. To add fuel to fire, recently the new Banks Licensing Policy was announced by which private corporate, business and industrial houses will be allowed to start their own banks. Public sector banking is sought to be shrunk and consolidated through merger of banks but private sector banking is being encouraged and expanded.  NPAs, attributable to the corporate, are on the increase but more and more concessions are being showered on them instead of taking stringent measures to recover the loans. 

Manohar Parikkar, actress Ponnamma attend Balagokulam conference

The 38th State conference of Balagokulam was held in Kochi on July 14. Inaugurating the conference Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parikkar endorsed the efforts of Balagokulam in imbibing values, patriotic concerns among children of the entire State. Noted Malayalam actress Kaviyoor Ponnamma was the chief guest on the occasion. She appreciated the work and activities of Balagokulam.

Saksham Bengaluru celebrates birth anniversary of Hellen Keller Jayanti

Bengaluru unit of Saksham organised a function on July 14 to celebrate the birth anniversary of Hellen Keller in collaboration with Sahana Charitable Trust. Saksham State general secretary Shri Vinod Prakash Rajappa welcomed the guests. Shri Srinivas Rao of the Bharatiya Itihas Sankalan Samiti delivered the keynote address. Prizes were distributed to the winners of various competitions held at Sahana Special School.