Women in City Get their Own, Exclusive Park

Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS)
 
Mangalore, Aug 22: This park in city could well be categorized as unique. Exclusively for women, 'Vanitha Vana', the new park at Hat Hill here is a perfect place for housewives, grandmothers and granddaughters to relax, or for working women to unwind after a busy day. 

The 1.5-acre park was inaugurated by minister Krishna J Palemar on Monday August 22. Free from vehicular traffic despite being located in the heart of the city, the park promises to be a popular hangout among the city's womenfolk.

This is the first such park in the city, providing complete privacy to women who can relax and let their hair down. The park will also act as a stress buster for women who would like to spend some time alone.
 
Speaking on the occasion Palemar said that the park is indeed the first of its kind in the state. Stating that there was a need for more number of parks in the district given the increasing population, he said that steps will be taken to earmark vacant government lands and convert them into parks.
 
MLA Yogish Bhat said that a counselling centre for women will also be set up at the park. "This is a much-needed park for women in the city. With 465 metres of jogging path, the park also has women police personnel guarding the area, thus ensuring complete safety and security for women," he said.
 
Zilla panchayat CEO Dr K N Vijayprakash said that there will be free health checkup for women at the Ayurvedic centre in the park. "More constructive works will be taken up in the second phase, like setting up of a radio house and a musical fountain at a cost Rs 25 lacs," he said.
 
Palemar, Yogish Bhat and MP Nalin Kumar agreed to allot Rs 2 lac each for the park from their respective funds.
 
Mayor Praveen and deputy mayor Geetha Nayak were also present. Senior journalist Manohar Prasad compered the programme.