‘Heli-tourism’, Golf course in Mangalore soon : Minister Reddy
Pics by Dayananda Kukkaje
News: The Hindu
MANAGALORE, Jan 5: Promising to support costal tourism and make “all the roads of the world lead to Mangalore” Minister for Tourism and Infrastructure Development G. Janardhan Reddy said the “heli-tourism” facility will be created in Mangalore. About 10 helicopters would be introduced for the purpose, he added.
He was speaking after inaugurating the 45-day Karavali Utsav at the Utsav Ground here on Sunday.
A 180-acre land had been acquired by the Revenue Department for the construction of a golf course in Mangalore. It would soon be handed over to the Department of Tourism. Expressing his love for the scenic beauty of the coastal belt, he said it was not be seen anywhere in the world.
Reddy said Rs. 10 crore would be sanctioned for the implementation of the tourism plan drawn by the out-going Deputy Commissioner M. Maheshwar Rao.
District in-charge Minister J. Krishna Palemar had mentioned about the plan evolved by Rao and requested Reddy to sanction the funds for its implementation, Reddy said and added that he would do so.
Palemar said: “This function is also the send-off function for Rao.” Lauding the “good work” had done in the district, Palemar said he wished to see Rao again in the city after a few years. Palemar inaugurated the exhibition at the Utsav Ground. President of Dakshina Kannada Sahitya Parishad Pradeep Kumar Kalkura pointed out that the Karavali Utsav had been organised without much support from the Government unlike Hampi Utsav, Mysore Dasara, Bengaluru Habba and Kadambotsava. He requested Reddy to support the Karavali Utsav.
The three platforms created in the city, one each at the Town Hall, Karavali Utsav Ground and Kadri Park, would be showcasing music and cultural programmes throughout the 45-day extravaganza. Music and cultural programme at the utsav ground would begin everyday at 6 p.m. and special concerts had been arranged at the Town Hall and Kadri Park. Maestros such as Vishwa Mohan Bhat (Mohan Veena), Hariharan (Ghazals and film songs), Rimpa Shiva (Tabla), Praveen Godhkindi (flute), Fayaaz Khan (vocal), Shobha Chaudhry (Thumri), Reela Hota (Odissi), Sandeep Chatterjee (Santoor), and Anuradha Singh (Kathak) would come face to face with the art-lovers during the utsav. Local artistes would be provided with a platform to exhibit their skills during the utsav. On Sunday, some of the many stalls at the exhibition were open for customers and the rest were being set up. The equipment for children’s games were also being set up. Organiser have fixed an entry fee of Rs. 5 for adults.