Pics: Dayananda Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Aug 25: Hundreds of small children enthusiastically took part in the annual 'Srikrishna Vesha Spardhe' organized on the eve of Srikrishna Janmashtami, by dressing up as charming Lord Krishna. The competition was organized by Kalkura Foundation chaired by S Pradeep Kumar Kalkura, which has been sponsoring this programme since the last three decades, at the yard of Lord Manjunatha temple at Kadri in the city on Wednesday August 24.
Competitions divided into 27 departments were held in eight stages since morning till evening. This national level competition was inaugurated on Wednesday morning by A J Shetty, chairman of A J group, who also extended his best wishes. Vedamurty Laxminarayana Asranna of Kateel delivered benedictory address.
Priests of Kadri temple, Prabhakara Adiga, Laxminarayana Adiga, former president of Kannada Sahitya Parishat, Harikrihna Punaroor, Udayagani group vice president, Anand K, Prof M B Puranik, K S Kalluraya, Kiran Jogi, and many others were present.
Pradeep Kumar Kalkura delivered introductory address and welcomed the gathering and participants. Sudhakar Rao Pejavar proposed vote of thanks. Kadri Navaneeth Shetty compered the programme.
Kalkura said that his organization has been associated with this annual feature since the last three decades in order to inculcate among the children an interest about their rich culture and consciousness about religion, and identify the talent hidden in them. "Our aim is also to create an awareness among the community members by making them to find Lord Krishna in all the children through their minds and souls," he added.