Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (SP)

Mangalore, Nov 1: Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister, B Ramanath Rai, formally christened the city 'Mangaluru' in replacement of its earlier spelling, 'Mangalore', duly providing it a touch of Kannada. Rai, who made this announcement, released colourful balloons in the air to celebrate the transformation.

On this occasion, he also handed over Rajyotsava awards to 28 achievers from the district including environmentalist, Sripadre, educationist, Dr H Shantaram, musician, Iqbal, journalist, N T Balepuni, social workers, Hilda Rayappan, Rajeev Shetty Yedthoor, and saxophonist, Raghava Serigar. Rai said richness of Kannada and culture is evident by the fact that eight persons from here have got Jnanpith awards.

Rai said the state government is committed to the implementation of Nanjundappa Committee report to do away with regional imbalance.

Presiding over the district level Kannada Rajyotsava function at Nehru Maidan here on Saturday November 1, Rai promised to address various problems faced by the people of the district. He assured those who have applied for house sites under the government's scheme, that their applications are being considered, process to sanction sites has begun, and eligible people's dream of having a house of their own will become reality soon.

He added that joint survey is being conducted with the participation of forest and revenue departments to address the issue of deemed forest concept. Pointing out that regional science centre has already started working in Pilikula, he added that a 'Janapada Loka (world of folklore)' will be set up with a grant of five crore rupees and a Urban Eco Park at a cost of five crore rupees will be set up there. He added that five beaches in the district will be developed at a total cost of Rs 13.72 crore.

Other long-expected projects which will see light of the day are the district theatre (Rangamandira) which will come up at Bondel at a cost of Rs 24 crore, and district offices complex at Padil in the city. He said that the construction of Mini Vidhana Soudha at Puttur and Mangaluru will conclude shortly, and the task of building similar structures at Bantwal and Beltangady will begin soon.

The minister said that improving the stretch of national highway at Shiradi ghat will be taken up at a cost of Rs 155 crore from December this year, while the process of widening the road between B C Road and Hassan into four lane will begin shortly. He added that urban development works are being taken up in urban areas of the district at sizable cost. Rai also added that Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Bhavan will be constructed for housing the offices of minority department there.

The minister said that the government is driven by the desire to brighten the future of Kannadigas and is progressing on the path of development for ensuring overall development.

On this occasion, Karnataka fire services department had organized a demo to show the capability of its Bronto Skylift Aerial Ladder Platform costing five crore rupees that has the capacity to reach high buildings up to 11 floors, and bike-mounted mist technology backup system (Agni).

A procession that was taken out from Jyoti Circle to Nehru Maidan was accompanied by several cultural troupes including Kolata and puppetry.

Incentive was disbursed to schools which registered 100 percent results in the last SSLC examination, including governent highschool, Guruvayankere in Beltangady taluk, Morarjee Desai Highschool Machchina, Beltangady taluk, Morarjee Desai Residential School in Cutinhopadavu Mangaluru, Morarjee Desai Model Residential Highschool Palke Mangaluru (north), Morarjee Desai Residential Highschool Narkodu Panja Sullia taluk, Lourdes Highschool Bijai Mangaluru, and Jawaharlal Nehru Highschool Shirtady Moodbidri.

In the march past presented by various institutions today, NCC (air wing) senior was adjudged the best. The second place went to Bharath Sevadal (women's wing), both of which were presented with rolling shields. Students with excellent achievements in various fields received Rs 10,000 each. They are, Meghana Manoj (first) and Anwesha Jain (second) in art, Akshata Shetty B (first), and Sushmita B S (second) in education, Shreya S Suvarna (first) and Kavana T (second) in sports, and Greeshma Kini (first) in culture sector.

Local city corporation mayor, Mahabala Marla, deputy mayor, Kavita, Dakshina Kannada district deputy commissioner, A B Ibrahim, MLC, Ivan D'Souza, MLA, Moidin Bava, Zilla Panchayat President Asha Thimmappa,Police Commissioner, R Hitendra, district superintendent of police,Sharanappa, zilla panchayat chief executive officer and Tulasi Maddineni were present among others.