Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Dec 9: Coastal district, which attracts the attention due to one or the other news, has become the center point now for renaming of prominent landmarks.

As soon as the coronavirus lockdown is relaxed, there is fierce competition among the coastal people for renaming renowned and prominent landmarks and structures. Now the international airport renaming has gone to the streets and people have started holding protests and bike rallies for the same.

In addition to the demand of renaming the international airport in the city as Koti Chennaya, historically famous men, there is also demand to keep the names of Veerarani Abbakka, the courageous queen of Ullal, who fought bravely with the Portuguese. Other names that are being suggested are that of Srinivas Mallya, pioneer of founding large scale industries in the districts and Madhwashankara, religious leader and reformer of a sect of Hindus.

Gram panchayat of Paduperar in the taluk had taken the decision of renaming the international airport as Koti Chennaya in 2019. This decision was accepted in the general body meeting of zilla panchayat also. Later this decision was sent to the state government for recommendation. However, the state government washed off its hands on the issue saying that it does not have the authority to rename the airport. In the meantime, the central government gave the maintenance of the airport to Adani group, which put its name in front of the airport that stirred up controversy.

Already a lot of protest and opposition was there in renaming the Bavutagudde road in the city as Mulki Sundarram Shetty road, founder of Vijaya Bank. There is one more agitation that is going on to rename Ladyhill Circle in the city as Narayanaguru Circle. Similarly, agenda is moved in MCC to rename Central and Junction railway stations of the city as Narayanaguru and George Fernandes, the force behind getting Konkan railway. The political parties fighting against each other for the purpose of renaming.

Though the roads, stations or circles are renamed with those of great achievers, the public still calls them by their original name. So for name sake the new name may be given, but original names will always remain, say the general public.

On renaming of international airport different leaders have given their opinion.

Mithun Rai, Youth Congress president, Dakshina Kannada district said, "Already protest is held to rename the Mangaluru international airport as Koti Chennaya airport. Further, the union minister will be approached for the same purpose through MP D K Suresh. If there is no response from the concerned ministry, then we will resort to agitation."

M G Hegade, social worker, said, "There is no opposition to rename the airport as Koti Chennaya. As the proposal is already sent, it is better if it is accepted. However, it is really sad to note that discussions are being held on matters which are not pertaining to development of the city but only on emotional grounds. Political parties and governments should not glorify such issues. They should be kept free from religion or caste."

Sudarshan Moodbidri, president of Dakshina Kannada BJP, says, "The local MP has already given assurance to rename the airport as Koti Chennaya. Even then protests are being held for political mileage and plot is being hatched to create chaos."