Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Mar 4: At the valedictory function of the two-day 'Veerarani Abbakka Utsava - 2019' organized at the seashore at Mogaveerapatna, Ullal on Sunday March 3, Abbakka Awards were conferred on achievers, Dr Sandhya S Pai for her achievements in the field of journalism, and Urmila Ramesh Kumar, in the fields of literature and social service.
Speaking after accepting the award, Dr Sandhya S Pai said that sacrifices made for freedom and one's own nation never go waste. "Whenever we read the story of Abbakka, the sacrifices she made bring tears in our eyes even now. The fact that a festival is being organized annually in memory of Abbakka even 500 years after her period is appreciable," she felt.
Urmila Ramesh Kumar thanked managing committee of Lord Gokarnanatha temple at Kudroli, Lalita Bhajana Mandali and Billawa Unificiation Forum because of her association with which her services to the society were recognised. She also expressed gratefulness towards those who worked behind Abbakka festival and chose her for the award.
MLC, Harish Kumar, deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada district, Sasikanth Senthil, assistant commissioner here, Ravichandra Nayak, and Srikanth Rao, were present.
Members of the festival committee, P D Shetty and Namitha Shyam, read out the citations. Zilla panchayat member, Mamata D S Gatti, and Bantwal taluk panchayat president, Chandrahas Karkera, were present. The programme was held under the aegis of Dakshina Kannada district administration, zilla panchayat, Kannada and culture department and youth empowerment and sports department.
Bhaskar Rai Kukkuvalli delivered introductory address. Journalist, Manohar Prasad, and Ullal Mogaveera Sangha president, Bharat Kumar Ullal, presented the programme. Rajesh B of Kannada and culture department rendered the vote of thanks.
Cultural programmes were presented thereafter.