Mangalore: 'International Status for Mangalore Airport Soon' - Vayalar Ravi
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, Oct 3: Union civil aviation minister, Vayalar Ravi, promised to complete the formalities connected with acquiring international airport status for the local airport on top priority.
“I know that getting this status for this airport is of prime importance,” he said, in response to a memorandum handed over by former union minister, B Janardhana Poojary, listing out various demands of the people of the district in this connection.
The minister was speaking after initiating the Mangalore Dasara celebrations at Lord Gokarnanatha Temple in Kudroli here on Sunday October 2. He said that one of the demands of Janardhana Poojary is to disburse maximum possible compensation to the families affected by the air crash here last year. “Some cases are pending in the court in this respect. The government is engaged with this issue,” he explained.
Ravi hailed Brahmasri Narayana Guru for spreading the notion of equality through his, ‘single caste, single religion, single god’ principle. “The principle of oneness preached by Narayana Guru has timeless and universal value. Our country strongly believes in this concept. I used to visit Varkala Shivagiri Mutt when young. The preaching of the Guru have had a lasting impact on my life and belief systems. Like me, crores of people have been influenced by the ideals of Narayana Guru,” he said.
He also said that his dream was to bring Air India back on tracks and enable it to function efficiently and compete with private airlines.
In his address, Janardhana Poojary said that the temple, which has been witnessing additions and renovations continuously, has been treading on the path shown by Brahmasri Narayana Guru. “This is not a centre of faith alone. It is also a centre of devotion, peace, and harmonious coexistence. Vayalar Ravi, who hails from the land of Narayana Guru, is a politician with deep humanitarian values,” he said.
President of Billavar Federation, Jaya C Suvarna, managing director of Hotel Deepa Comforts, Urmila Ramesh, and president of Akhila Karnataka Vishwamarka Mahasabha, K P Nanjundi, participated as chief guests.
Temple governing council president, H S Sairam, vice-president, Raghavendra Kulur, secretary, B Madhav Suvarna, and trustees were present.
Mangalore Air Crash - Vayalar Invites Victims' Kin to Delhi for Talks
A delegation of Mangalore Air Crash Victims Families Association met union civil aviation minister, Vayalar Ravi, on Sunday October 2. Ravi was here for attending a programme at Lord Gokarnanatha Temple, Kudroli.
He invited the office bearers of the association to New Delhi to discuss issues concerning payment of justifiable compensation to families of the air crash victims. He said he has been putting in efforts towards this end, and promised to hold detailed discussions in the issue during the visit of the delegation to New Delhi.
In reply to questions, the minister said that efforts towards infusing life into Air India through a rejuvenation process are on at present. “A new chairman has already been posted to Air India. Directors will also be appointed soon,” he clarified.