Mangalore: Exhilarating Day as Rural Populace Takes the 'Field'
Pics by Spoorthy Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (AF)

Mangalore, Aug 8: It was a day packed with invigorating action for the people of Pragathi Nagar, Suratkal, as they literally took the 'field' to compete against each other in various challenges.

The occasion was ‘Kesarugadde Grameena Kreedotsava’ a sports event for the rural populace, held on Sunday August 8. The event was inaugurated by JC Sridhar Shetty, president of JCI Suratkal.

The event was conducted at a cost of rupees two lac, with the help of around 40 sponsors.

Power tillers and coconuts were distributed among farmers by district in-charge minister Krishna J Palemar on the occasion. Addressing the gathering, he termed rural games as something that creates harmony among people in villages. Alluding to the issue of environment, he said that three the administration has undertaken the task of planting three lac saplings in the district.

A Padmayya Naik, joint director, department of agriculture, cautioned against indiscriminate selling of lands for development in exchange for money, as it may someday lead to shortage of food. He appreciated the hosting of the sports event terming it as a step towards the preservation of culture and agriculture of the land. He also opined that agricultural skills should be inculcated in youngsters in addition to their formal education, so that the occupation does not die prematurely.

As many as 4,000 people participated in the events, which included activities such as 'kesarugadde ota', ‘paddana’, planting rice saplings, treasure hunt, packing rice, rolling bidis, breaking pots blindfolded, weaving coconut leaves and so on.