Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, Feb 1: Leader of the opposition in the state assembly, Siddaramaiah, wished that ‘Abbakkka Utsav’ will in future, be celebrated as a state-level festival on the model of Hampi and Kadamba festivals. He was speaking after conferring the titles, ‘Veerarani Abbakka Award’ on writer, M Janaki Brahmavar, and ‘Veerarani Abbakka Honour’ to Sr Olinda Pereira, a social worker, on Monday January 31. The Utsav was held at Rani Abbakka Dais set up at Asaigoli near here.
He said that lack of unity had cost the country dear, and that Mughuls and other foreign forces had made use of this weakness of Indians while invading the country and subjecting the people of the country to their bondage. “A number of personalities including Abbakka had fought to rid the country of this slavery, and sacrificed their lives for this cause. Festivals like these help us to keep their memories alive for ever,” he felt.
MP, Nalin Kumar Kateel, said that the possibility of celebrating the annual ‘Karavali Utsav’ in the name of Rani Abbakka will be considered. He also promised to put in efforts towards set up a study centre in the name of Abbakka in Mangalore University, naming of Mangalore airport after Abbakka, and earmarking some funds for Abbakka Utsav in the budget.
MLA, U T Khader, presided over the programme. Former Kannada Sahitya Parishat state president, Hakrishna Punaroor, delivered the valedictory address.
State Minorities Commission chairman, Anwar Manippady, MLA, Abhayachandra Jain, MLA, B Ramanath Rai, Congress leader, Ivan D’Souza, former Tulu Sahitya Academy president, Dr Vaman Nandavar, and a number of other leaders and dignitaries, were present.
Working president of Abbakka Utsav Committee, Dinakar Ullal, welcomed. Reception Committee president, K Jayaram Shetty, delivered introductory address. General secretary, Bhaskar Rai Kukkuvalli, compered the programme. Suhasini Babbukatte read out the citations. Regional committee member, Fazal Asaigoli, proposed vote of thanks.