Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network—Udupi (SM)

Udupi, Jul 10: Sri Kshethra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP) inaugurated the coastal regional office at Pragathi Soudha Brahmagiri and launched the ‘Green Energy’ programme on Tuesday July 9.

Vinay Kumar Sorake, district in-charge minister, inaugurated the programme. In his inaugural speech he said, “The Indian population has indeed increased drastically. At the time of Independence, it was just 35 crore and now it is 120 crore. The expectation of the public towards life has changed a lot. Further, the administration should meet the expectations of the public.”

“Development must equal the increasing population. We do have enough natural resources, but we still depend on artificial sources. The best example is that we have plenty of rivers but still we prefer wells, borewells, and other sources of water,” added Sorake.

“The SKDRDP works to promote government programmes including self-help groups. There are 22 centers in the district. Chikmagalur wastage management system has been accepted at the state-level. Similarly, Udupi should also be a model for development,” he said.

Dr Veerendra Heggde, presiding Dharmadhikari of Sri Dharmastala, said, “It promotes people’s empowerment.  Udupi plays a vital role in development and all the programmes conducted here are successful. SKDRDP has a co-operative banking system and Rs 72 crore are the savings.”