Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (RT)

Udupi, Nov 5: The soil to be used as a symbolic gesture of unity for developing a theme park that will house the 108-ft bronze statue of Bengaluru founder Kempegowda on the premises of Bengaluru International Airport (BIA) was collected here on Saturday November 5.

Addressing the gathering, minister of state of Fisheries, Ports and Inland Transport Department and district in-charge minister S Angara said, “One should know history to make history. When we recall history, we find the contribution of our ancestors. On November 11, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unveil a 108 feet tall bronze statue of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda in Bengaluru and this campaign to collect holly soil is underway.

“Kempegowda was the builder of Bengaluru. He also built lake in Bengaluru for its development. Our government has already set up the statue of Sardar Vallabhabai Patel, now it is time to set up the statue of Kempegowda.

“Two days in Udupi, the Kempegowda rath will travel and collect the holy soil from different places and then go to Bengaluru. This programme’s intention is to save our soil and also to save our history,” he said.

MLA K Raghupati Bhat welcomed the Kempegowda rath and gave the holy soil for the campaign.

Deputy commissioner M Kurma Rao, CEO Prasanna H, SP Hakey Akshay Machhindra, Uudpi city municipal council president Sumitra Naik, and deputy secretary Kiran Padnekar were present.