Daijiworld News Network - Mangalore (MB) - Pics Dayanand Kukkaje

Mangalore, Mar 19: The Federation Cup Body-building Championship for the Mr India title was inaugurated on Saturday evening by Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Dr D Veerendra Heggade.

Welcome with the traditional band

'Door ke mehmaan'

Deputy commissioner Dr H V Parshwanath, Suratkal MLA Krishna Palemar, city mayor Ashraf, district SP B Dayananda, Sports Promoters' Club president A Sadananda Shetty, Sandalwood actor Shivadhwaj, former Mr Universe Prem Chandra Dhingra, Indian Body-builders' Federation president Madhava Poojary and former Udupi MP Vinayakumar Sorake were the guests of honour.

Loaded with laurels

Inauguration

Sandalwood actor Shivadhwaj

Prominents among those present were Karnataka Boldy-builders' Association president Raghunath Shet, secretary John Rebello, M R Sports Foundation convener Vijay Rai, DK District Body-builders' Association president Ravindranath Rai, secretary Tejpal Amin and organizing secretary Ashok Shetty. Organizing secretary of the competition Pushparaj Hegde welcomed the gathering.

Puppet tableau 

In his inaugural address, Dr Heggade stressed the need of a clean mind in a strong body. Since the future of the country was in the hands of the younger generation, it is imperative that the youth power was utilized for positive purposes. In the current era of commercialism, unhealthy way is being created to attract youngsters while marketing the products. Here the physical attraction gets precedence, which could lead the younger generation in the wrong direction, he cautioned.

A case for 'Mr Kambala'

Dr Heggade also said that the those toiling in the field were the real physically fit athletes, since they develop good physique because of their hard labour. Similarly, buffalo-trainers taking part in kambala (buffalo-race) also develop good body structure and he suggested that kind of a 'Mr Kambala' competition be held to recognize such persons.