From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Jan 7: Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai released a logo and mascot of the National Youth Festival to be held in Hubballi-Dharwad from January 12.

In a function held virtually on Saturday, Union Coal, Mining and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi, Union Minister for Youth Empowerment & Sports Anurag Singh Thakur, State Youth Empowerment and Sports Dr C Narayana Gowda and noted Kannada actor and Tara Anuradha were present.

The Chief Minister thanked the Government of India for allowing Karnataka to host this year's National Youth Festival and Khelo India University Sports meet.

The State has made all arrangements to host the youth festival on a grand scale, he said.

On this occasion, there was a discussion on the arrangements for the event, and it was decided to hold a meeting of young legislators, MPs and other elected representatives.

The Railway Board agreed to attach special coaches for the youths coming to Hubballi-Dharwad from different parts of the country.

Union Minister Thakur appreciated designing the youth festival's logo and mascot through the competition.

The logo prepared by Bansilal Ketki of Odisha was selected for she will get a cash prize of Rs 50,000. This national flower, Lotus inspired her to prepare the logo which will convey nationalism, selfless service, unity and cooperation. It will also represent India's progress in economy, foreign affairs, and upgradation of the Indian army, G-20 and the chairmanship of the United Nations Security Council.

Similarly, Inbam of Bengaluru who has created 'Champi Chikka', was selected as the mascot and he will get a cash prize of Rs 50,000. This has the design of an elephant and it will show that Karnataka has the highest number of elephants in the country. It will also showcase global climate change, achieving the goal of sustainable development, and world peace, and the rapid strides of India and its youths in the fields of sports, startups, creativity and education.

The theme of this year's Youth festival is 'Vikasit Yuva, Vikasit Bharath', and over 7500 delegates from all over the country are expected to participate in this event.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will open this festival in Hubballi on January 12 to coincide with the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.

Union Youth Empowerment & Sports Department's secretary Mitha R Lochan, State Youth Empowerment & Sports additional chief secretary Dr Shalini Rajneesh, Chief Minister's principal secretary N Manjunath Prasad and others were present.

Better Bengaluru, new satellite towns and beyond Bengaluru development are the plans of the incumbent government, said the Chief Minister while addressing a function to mark the Bengaluru-2040 Summit organised by Deccan Herald in Bengaluru on Saturday.

He underscored the need for two plans, one to build the futuristic Bengaluru and another to set right the old city. This also requires a huge investment. The UGD, Solid Waste Management, Rajakaluve and road maintenance must improve. The management of traffic included transport, sub-urban trains, roads, and signals.

Bommai said a separate Commissionerate has been created exclusively for traffic system management with which some changes have been brought in.

Suitable arrangements are made to improve the signal system, and additional roads and also to prevent traffic density on national highways. Bengaluru has been ahead in the energy sector.

The Chief Minister said technology is used in waste management. The waste collected from one ward is processed there and doing it will save transport and space and check pollution of the environment. This machinery will be made compulsory for commercial establishments and all malls, hospitals, markets, and hotels will be asked to install waste management equipment.

Steps are initiated to improve UGD and remove of encroachment of Rajakaluve. A sum of Rs 26,000 crore has been provided for the extension of Metro 3rd state works.

Work on sub-urban rail has started. The traffic system will improve due to Peripheral Ring Road, Metro, and road widening. Besides, satellite cities are developed in four places, he said.

Bommai said Belagavi, Kalaburgi, Ballari and Davangere cities have good roads and facilities. Soon, the airports in Vijayapura, Raichuru, Shivamogga, Hassan, and Dharwad will come up. If these cities can achieve this, even the same thing can be done in the state capital.

Bengaluru has all the qualities of growing as the best international city as it has 400 R&D labs and around Rs 8 lakh crore investment is expected in the state.

The Airshow will be held next month and Bengaluru has emerged as an IT/BT, Startup, and Aerospace City. The spare parts for the airplanes are manufactured here. This city has to grow to the level of manufacturing aircraft, he added.