Community leaders call for strong familial ties in Quranic discourse event organised by JIH Bhatkal unit

Bhatkal: 15 January,2026 (Bhatkallys News Bureau)  Bhatkal Tahsildar Nagendra Kolshetty on Sunday said that a strong nation can be built only on the foundation of strong families, and that when the family system remains secure, society and the state naturally grow stronger.

He was speaking at a Quranic discourse programme titled “Khushhaal Khandan, Mazboot Samaj” organised by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Bhatkal.

Referring to the thoughts of former President A P J Abdul Kalam, Kolshetty underlined the importance of the family system in the progress of the country. He expressed concern over changing lifestyles and said the younger generation was increasingly losing patience. He pointed to the growing influence of social media and what he described as “reels culture”, cautioning youth against expecting instant success in life and stressing that meaningful achievements require time and effort.

Delivering the keynote address, Muhammad Kunhi, State Secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Karnataka, described the family as a sacred institution created by the Almighty, and not merely a social arrangement. He warned that the collapse of family values would ultimately lead to the collapse of society. Even in the age of technology and artificial intelligence, he said, values such as truth, justice, kindness and self-restraint must remain unchanged. He also noted with concern that human relationships were increasingly becoming transactional and business-like. Parents, he said, should focus not only on their children’s careers but also on nurturing values such as love, respect and tolerance at home.

Gangadhar Naik, President of the Kannada Sahitya Parishad Bhatkal taluk unit, observed that while houses were becoming larger, people’s hearts were shrinking. He remarked that while humanity had achieved scientific breakthroughs, it had failed to overcome ego, and said religion should help broaden minds rather than divide people.

Special guest Narasimha Adi, President of the District Working Journalists Association, said Bhatkal continued to uphold its long-standing tradition of harmony and humanity. Congress leader Rama Moger also recalled the town’s centuries-old legacy of unity and coexistence.

Retired professor R.S. Naik, labour leader G.N. Revankar, President of Majlis-e-Islah wa Tanzeem Inayatullah Shahbandri and Suresh Pujari were among others who spoke on the need to preserve unity in diversity.

The programme began with a welcome address by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Bhatkal president Maulana Syed Zubair S.M. Journalist M.R. Manvi anchored the event, while convener Nazir Quazi proposed the vote of thanks.