News & Pics: Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)

Kundapur, Sep 26: A sports festival titled ‘Holapu 2016’ of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada panchayat raj and local people representatives was held under the aegis of Kotathattu Gram panchayat and Dr Shivarama Karanth Prathistana at Kota educational institute premises on Sunday September 25.

Minister of rural development and panchayat raj, H K Patil who lit the traditional lamp, speaking on the occasion said that the government is thinking of holding similar sports and cultural festivals in other districts in the state.

Speaker D H Shankara Murthy handed over the sports flag and conveyed his best wishes. H K Patil speaking on the occasion said that pulling the rope competition is necessary in politics also so that politics may survive.

Vidhana Parishat member Kota Srinivasa Poojary urged the minister to increase the honorarium of gram panchayat members to Rs 1,000 from the present Rs 500.

Panchayat members and local administration officials arrived from the two districts in large numbers. Nearly five thousand people had come to watch the competitions.

The competitions consisted of 100 meters race, 200 meters race, shot-put, Ring in bucket, pulling the rope in group competitions and Throwball separately for men and women. 100 physical education teachers had arrived as judges. Super minute, singing, fancy dress and quiz were held as part of cultural programmes.

Grama panchayat members arrived in uniform and upheld the panchayat unity. The members stood holding panchayat board and banner ignoring rain. The participants took part across party lines ignoring their age and party affiliation.