Puducherry: Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu said that the central and state governments should work together as a team for the comprehensive development of the country. “If the Centre and states work together, setting apart all differences, we can do wonders in the country. The nation cannot progress without the support of the states,” said Mr Naidu while commissioning the Rs 7.2 crore multi-purpose indoor sports complex and laying the foundation for a Rs 5 crore swimming pool and Rs 11.8 crore SAI girls hostel here.
Appreciating the territorial administration for taking up these activities with help of Government of India, Mr Naidu said that this can be pointed out as a good example of positive outcome when the Centre and states work together. He highlighted the importance of including sports and games in the curriculum throughout his speech and said that he keeps himself fit by playing ball badminton every day. “I am 68 years old now and still fit and energetic because I play badminton every day.”
He also expressed hope that he can play badminton with Puducherry health and sports minister Malladi Krishna Rao in his next visit to Puducherry in the newly commissioned indoor stadium.
“Every school must have a dedicated time for students to play. Wherever there are no grounds, a ground pooling mechanism must be adopted to utilise the space available in different schools, colleges or institutions. The curriculum should include sports, games and physical health education for the all-round development of students,” he said.
The vice president added that it was time to enter into public private partnerships for building sports infrastructure and its maintenance. He appreciated Lt Governor Kiran Bedi who spoke earlier for her several initiatives to implement Swachh Bharath in Puducherry. “The Clean India movement is a people's campaign and it is the duty of all people to cooperate in ensuring a clean environment,” he added.
Chief Minister V Narayanasamy who presided over the function said that the Centre should earmark sufficient funds to Puducherry for its developmental activities. He also sought the intervention of the Vice President who is also the Chancellor of Pondicherry University to ensure sufficient seats in under-graduate and post-graduate courses in institutions under the Pondicherry University control.
Earlier, minister Malladi Krishna Rao who hails from the Yanam region of Puducherry in Andhra Pradesh welcomed the Vice President in Telugu as Mr Naidu also hails from Andhra Pradesh, much to the surprise of the audience.
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