Puttur: Karnataka governor Vajubhai Vala inaugurated the centenary celebrations of Vivekananda Degree and PU College here on January 7, Wednesday,

Speaking at the inauguration Vala said: “We proudly speak about saffronization, will continue to do so, and achieve saffronization.” If the way of life shown by ancient scriptures is replicated in modern times, what is wrong.

Saffronization comes in handy for people who want to give “gaalis”, the governor said. India is all-encompassing. “We respect all religions and beliefs. We don’t make fun of any religion, and will not take it lightly if someone does it to us.”

While convent education can introduce students to the letters, science and technology, it can’t impart culture – something that ancient Indian texts do, according to the governor.

Vala, who has his roots in the RSS, was handpicked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be governor of Congress-governed Karnataka.

Invoking Swami Vivekananda, Vala said his exhortation “Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached” was drawn from the Upanishads. “Swami Vivekananda, Dayananda Saraswati and other leaders held the saffron flag aloft and espoused Indianness. Their teachings gave character to India. Human beings reside in nations that have character; other nations merely have people living in them.”

Ancient texts tell an individual to do one’s duty without expecting anything in return. A nation’s character is built because of such beliefs. India has strived to expand its cultural, not geographical, boundaries.

He asked girl students of the college to realize their self-belief and courage. Citing the example of Israeli girls who stand up to aggressors from across the border, Vala said it’s sad Indian girls don’t do so. Great men in Indian history, from Shivaji to Gandhi, are remembered because of their mothers.

Vidyavardhaka Sangha president S R Rangamurthy said the Sangha has come a long way from the time it was set up as Puttur Education Society nearly 100 years ago. With colleges across Dakshina Kannada district, it plans to set up institutions in Kerala.

Former MLA and founder convener of Vivekananda Vidyavardhaka Sangha, Urimajalu K Rama Bhat, and principal of Vivekananda PU College, Jeevandas, were present. Principal of Vivekananda PU College, Dr H Madhava Bhat, S R Rangamurthy, welcomed. Prof A V Narayana, general secretary of Golden Jubilee Celebrations Committee, proposed vote of thanks.