'Sankritika Kalothsava' Marking 60 Years of M'lore Airport Ends on High Note
 
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (PS/CN)
 
Mangalore, Jul 22: The valedictory ceremony of 'Sankritika Kalothsava' organized by Mangalore Airport diamond jubilee celebrations committee to mark 60 years of the airport, was held at the Town Hall on Friday July 22.
 
Speaking on the occasion, M R Vasudeva, director, Mangalore Airport, said that the airport has all facilities in place to match development for another 15 years. “In 2006, the airport applied for aerodrome license and the concurrent preparation is going on”, he added.

Vasudeva said that now the airport deserves to be declared an international airport. Describing the role of the airport in the development of Mangalore, he said that it was the root cause for development of business, educational institutions, banks, and stated that one cannot imagine Mangalore without an airport now.
 
MP Nalin Kumar, addressing the gathering, said that though there has been pressure to stop the Volvo bus service from the city to the airport, it will not be heeded. He lauded the co-operation of Pascal Pinto, co-ordinator, Coastal Karnataka NRIs Forum in Kuwait. He said that by organizing this diamond jubilee programme, all have been recalling the contribution of Ullal Shreenivas Mallya in bringing up the airport.
 
Prizes were distributed to winners of various competitions by the guests.
 
IOB chairman M Narendra, collegiate education joint director H R Natraj Aras, Pascal Pinto, Sitaram Kulal, B R Bhat of Corporation Bank, KCCI president G G Mohandas Prabhu, and Tejomaya were present.
 
'Yaadhon ki Shaam', a musical bonanza of old hits of Mohammed Rafi, Manna Dey, Mukesh, and Mahendra Kapoor was presented by Tarana Group from 6 pm onwards.