Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)
Mangaluru, Jan 13: Former MLA and honorary president of Veera Rani Abbakka Utsava committee Jayaram Shetty said that this year’s Veerarani Abbakka Utsava will be celebrated on Saturday, February 4 at Mahathma Gandhi auditorium of Ullal city municipality without any sponsorship or grant of government.
Jayaram Shetty was speaking at the press conference that was organized at a private hotel near Kuthar.
Shetty further said, “Ullal Veera Rani Abbakka Utsava Committee was formed in 1997 and has celebrated Veera Rani Abbakka Utsava in Ullal vicinity for many years with public contribution and sometimes in coordination with Kannada and culture department and district administration. In 2021, the Utsav was celebrated with the cooperation of Tulu Academy. However, in 2022 it was not held due to shortage of funds.”
Dinakar Ullal, president of the committee said, “District administration has received Rs 10 lac grant in their treasury for celebration of Abbakka Utsav. When the committee asks district administration, it says that it will take decision after the meeting. Due to this attitude, one year the utsav could not be held.
“This time it is decided to hold the celebration and date is fixed well before the examinations of students. The programme will be of one day and will begin in the morning and end at night. The celebration will include Kannada, Tulu, Byari cultural programme, poem recital, seminar, Abbakka prizes and rewards, drama and Yakshagana.
“The programme will be inaugurated by Dr M N Rajendra Kumar, president of SCDCC bank. In the valedictory function, district in-charge minister Sunil Kumar, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, local MLA and former minister U T Khader and other eminent personalities will take part.
“Ullala Veera Rani Abbakka Utsav committee regrets to inform that the construction of Abbakka Bhavana on the 41 cents land near new bus stand of Thokottu is not yet begun, though the foundation stone is laid 11 years ago. The committee has met the new deputy commissioner and has requested to start the construction work.
“The committee has urged from the past 27 years to rename Mangaluru international airport as Ullal Veera Rani Abbakka as she is the one who is the first ever freedom fighter of India, who drove the Portuguese invaders away. We will again urge the government to look into this matter,” he said.
Chief secretary Dhanlaxmi Gatty, honorary vice president Sadananda Bangera, treasurer Ananda K Asaigoli, vice presidents U P Aliabba and Devaki R Ullal were present.