Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (MD)
Mangalore, Sep 14: Colourful celebrations depicting the tradition and rich culture of Kerala marked Onam festivities at TMA Pai Convention Centre here on Sunday September 14. The celebration, organized by Kerala Samajam, was inaugurated by minister for energy D K Shivakumar.
Addressing the gathering, D K Shivakumar said, "Keralites are all over the world; they are the most intelligent people on earth. They have been spreading our culture everywhere.
"Our culture is our main strength. Our culture plays an important role in developing our country. Mahabharata, Ramayana and Yakshagana are our greatest treasures; even the British could not take away our culture when they left India. It is our duty to save our culture."
Addressing the gathering, minister for forest and environment Ramanath Rai joked that if one goes even to the moon, one will find a Malayali there selling tea. "Keralites are everywhere spreading our culture. Karnataka and Kerala states are closely related. Be it food, manners, traditions, or religious programmes, our state matches with the Malabar region. In Kerala you can see temples, churches and mosques existing in close proximities. No major communal clashes are ever reported from anywhere. All live in peace and harmony," he added
Minister for youth affairs and fisheries Abhayachandra Jain and Mangalore South MLA J R Lobo also spoke on the occasion.
Maxim Sebastian, vice-president of Kerala Samajam welcomed the guests. M V Rajan, joint secretary of Kerala Samajam proposed the vote of thanks.
T K Rajan, president of Kerala Samajam, minister for urban development Vinay Kumar Sorake, minister for health and family welfare U T Khadar, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, Mangalore North MLA B A Mohiuddin Bawa, A J Institutions chairman A J Shetty, deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim, Gokulam group of companies chairman Gokulam Gopalan, Mithun Rai, president, district Youth Congress and others were also present.