Mangaluru: The Mangaluru Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) in association with Sahyadri College of Engineering & Management held an inter-professional collegiate debate competition on the topic “Eradicate Corruption- Build a New India”, at the Sahyadri Campus on November 2.
Students of the engineering, medicine, dental and management disciplines from sixteen professional colleges of the Mangaluru and the Udupi regions, participated in the competition. One of the primary objectives of the Central Vigilance Commission is to create public awareness against corruption and observe the vigilance awareness week every year from October 30 to November 4.
K Upendra Rao, Dy. General Manager (Vigilance), MRPL, was the Chief Guest of the inaugural function. Dr Srinivas Rao Kunte presided over the function
In his inaugural address, Upendra Rao spoke about corruption and its effects. He thanked Sahyadri and the Central Vigilance Council for organising the debate. He then stated that the results of a survey show that 50% of Indians have paid a bribe at some point of time in their lives. He gave examples of how countries like Hong Kong have reduced corruption through education and how Singapore imposed stringent laws from the first day of Independence to eradicate corruption. Rao then encouraged the youth to work towards the eradication of corruption and also stated that change should start from within. He concluded his address by encouraging the participants and wishing the programme success.
Dr Srinivas Kunte spoke about why it is vital for one to follow ethics such as sincerity and integrity. He said that as citizens, we have to be responsible and take steps to make India corruption free.
Dr Malini Hebbar, Veera Katpitia, Preetham Kamath, Divyashree Gatti, Prateeksha Hebbar, Sushil Gupta, Praveen Pinto, Savitha Salian, Lyra Pinto and all members of the Toastmasters were the judges for the event.
H V Manjunatha, Chief Manager (Vigilance), MRPL welcomed the gathering and Dr Molly Chaudhuri, HoD Training coordinated the event. Haseena compered the event.
For the valedictory programme, M Venkatesh, MD of MRPL was the chief guest. He presented the Certificate of Commitment to the principal of the college Dr Srinivas Rao Kunte, and assured their support to Sahyadri. In his address to the gathering, he gave insights on how we come from different cultures and how to always be upright in all our endeavours. He highlighted that we need to be transparent and never do a wrong thing that breaks trust. “Learning from our mistakes is a part of human culture. Belief and Trust is a part of every team and we should work with high levels of honesty and unparalleled integrity. I firmly believe that one day, we will surely have a corruption-free India,” he said. He also spoke about how Regulatory Authorities are an important part of our system and how they teach us the right system rather than punishing us for our mistakes. He concluded by stating that we need to be the people who would bring a change and be that change.
The Guest of Honour Rajeev Kushwah, ITS, Chief Vigilance Officer MRPL, gave insights into the need for Vigilance. He spoke about the demand and supply side of corruption and stated that whenever we do anything wrong, it is corruption. He illustrated that even when students bunk classes, it is moral corruption. He encouraged students to live a life of honesty and integrity and to make the right judgement. He also asked them to take the Integrity pledge and always maintain its highest standards. He called on the student community to the CVC on eradicating corruption.
Dr Srinivas Kunte, in his presidential address, stated that we need to give an opportunity to young minds to debate and give ideas for an Anti-Corruption Programme. “Any influence must not drive us to miss out on ethics such as integrity, honesty and the truth,” he said and encouraged the students to practice the good qualities of honesty and integrity in their homes and to be a role model for the future generations. “If a family always encourages the right things in the house, their children will also do the right things,” he said and thanked the MRPL for partnering with the college to organise the event.
Dr Molly Chaudhuri welcomed the gathering and introduced the guests. H V Manjunath thanked the Chairman, Principal, the entire MRPL team, contestants, judges and the management of Sahyadri for making the event a success.
Upendra Rao, Prashanth Baliga, GM, Corporate Communications, and several other dignitaries from MRPL were present. Calida Royce D’ Souza compered the valedictory function.
The results of the event:
First place– Fathima Shakir and Shubhang Bhandarkar from National Institute of Technology – Karnataka (NITK).
Second place– Tabinda Nasim and Yogya Akkineni from Yenepoya Medical College.
Third place– Arslaan Kolo and Akash Lobo G from St Joseph Engineering College, Mangaluru.
The ‘Best Debater’ prize was given to Nivya Rodrigues from Sahyadri College of Engineering and Management.
