Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network-Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Jan 14: Udupi created the world record for the largest congregation of people wearing same badge to promote awareness about saving the nature. This feat was achieved by the Samvedana Foundations of city in a programme ‘Rana Manthraduchchara’, here on Saturday January 13 at Malpe beach.
It was a breathtaking moment where over 4850 students and popular singers rendered their voice to sing the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ at Malpe beach in the evening.
Nodoja G Shanakar, proprietor, G Shankar Family trust launched the event by releasing the balloons.
While speaking on the occasion, he said, “Youths must think of the nation while shaping their future. I will fulfil all the desires of Savendana faoundation with the support of district in-charge minister. Let us take our nation towards the path of development.”
Addressing the gathering, district in-charge minister Pramod Madhwaraj said, “It is one of the ideal celebrations of 155th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. It was special moment when all the gathered sang Vande Matharam together. The song spreads the messages of Swami Vivekananda throughout the world.”
Former Udupi MLA Raghupati said, “Swami Vivekananda stated to worship Bharat Mata by keeping aside our Gods at home. It was a wonderful effort to sing the full song of Vande Matharam by the gathering. The programme has grabbed the attention of the world towards India through this. It is a wonderful event. I would like to donate land to grow forest in Aroor.”
Prakash Malpe, coordinator of the programme, said, “The foundation wanted to enter the Golden Book of World Records. It was being done as part of the 155th birth anniversary celebrations of Swami Vivekananda and to create awareness about save nature under the slogan ‘To Save nature, for future’.”
Santhosh Agarwal, the representative of Golden Book of Records officially announced that Udupi won the Golden book world record and handed over the certificate to Samavedana foundation members on the occasion.
He said, “Udupi has created the Golden book world record by wearing same badge by the largest congregation of people. This was the first attempt made by the Samvedan foundations. Golden book world record is a US based organization and has its branch in Delhi.”
Another popular playback singer, Suhana Sayyad, speaking to media persons said, “I am very happy to be part of this programme. Patriotism should be there in all. I was wonderstruck by seeing such huge crowd gathered here. I came to Udupi here for the first time. It is not an easy job of uniting children under one place, but it was made possible by the foundation. This is being done with good purpose.”
Over 23 degree college students participated in the drive by wearing white cloth and badges along with 22 popular playback singers rendered their voice to sing the song. They were namely Sangita Ravindranath, Malini Keshav Prasad, K Surekha Hegde, Shruti Tumkur, Yashwant, Jagadish Puttur, Rajesh Shanbagh, Ravindra Prabhu, Rupa Prakash, Prakash Mahadevan, Suhana Sayyad, Kishore Perla, Rameshchandra, Divya Ramachandra and Mallika Shetty.
Nikhil Thauvro, Swathi Jain, Rajath Hegade, Dinesh Kinnigoli and other also joined.
Prasad Panikar donated 20 acres of land, situated at Madikeri for the good cause of saving nature.
In addition to this, over 1750 feet long and 9 feet wide tri-colour flag was carried out in a procession from Gandhi Shatabdhi ground to Malpe beach. Businessman Sadhu K Salian flagged off the beautiful Shobhayatra. The flag was designed by Sahara Radiance Society based in Andhra Pradesh.
The foundation lunched this programme to create 100 forests in the state by May said Damodar said.
District BJP president Mattaru Ratnakar Hegde, BJP State executive member Uday Kumar Shetty, CMC president Meenakshi Madhav Bannanje, Kaylady Suresh Nayak, Lakshmi Narayan Gupta, Chief Manager of Sahara Radiance, Dhavanam Amarnath, Kishore Kumar, DySP Kumaraswamy, Jayananad Hobali Dar, Hariayappa Kotian, Vasanth kanth, Lalaji R Mendon and others were present on the occasion.
Arun welcomed the gatherings. Prashant Thingalaya delivered the key note address. Saujanya Hegde and Damodar compered the programme. Nikhil Salian proposed vote of thanks.