Media Release
Karkala, Feb 22: UPCL extends grant of Rs 50 lac for developments of historical Uchila Sri Mahalakshmi Temple and Rs 10 lac for the protection and rejuvenation of historical Anekere Chaturmukha Kerebasadi in Karkala Taluk. Kishore Alva, president and executive director of UPCL has handed over the grant letter of Uchila Sri Mahalakshmi Temple to Yashpal Suvarna, MLA of Udupi and member of Uchila Sri Mahalakshmi Temple Renovation Committee and grant letter of Anere Chaturmukha Kerebasadi was handed over to Dr M N Rajendra Kumar, chairman of Basadi Renovation Committee.
Speaking on the occasion, Kishore Alva informed that UPCL has made a significant contribution to the state, especially in the industrial sector in the coastal region and has created a revolution by implementing many social developments works under CSR. Kishore Alva said that UPCL has not only earmarked its CSR grants for education, health, rural infrastructure development and promotion of rural sports, but has spread CSR grants to the religious temples, shrines, community auditorium in the coastal region, which is known for many historical and religious centres. Earlier the office bearers of Dakshina Kannada Mogaveera Mahajana Sangha, under the leadership of Yashpal Suvarna, appealed to UPCL seeking support for the renovation of Uchila Sri Mahalakshmi Temple and the construction of community hall.
Kishore Alva recollected that earlier Pramod Madhwaraj, former president of Mogaveera Association, Nadoja Dr G Shankar, philanthropist and social worker, Shobha Karandlaje, member of parliament, Jayaprakash Hegde, former minister, Lalaji Mendon, former MLA, Vinaya Kumar Sorake, former MLA, Bharath Kumar, former President of Kairampani Fishermen Association had requested UPCL to provide compensation of Rs 1 lac each to 302 fishermen families for betterment of their life. Responding to the request, UPCL has expedited releasing the payment of Rs 3.02 crore to fishermen community. Alva further informed that nearly 40% of population in Udupi are from fishermen community and it is very much meaningful that UPCL has extended support to historical Sri Uchila Mahalakshmi Temple, which is their adorable deity.
The Anekere Chaturmukha Kerebasadi located at Karkala town was in dilapidated state and Dr M N Rajendra Kumar had given an appeal to UPCL for extending the support for renovation of Basadi. Considering the importance of this Basadi, which has a history of more than 400 years, UPCL with an aim to protect and restore this historical place, has extended a grant of Rs 10 lacs, Kishore Alva said. Alva further told that UPCL is extending its CSR grants to the religious centres of all community.
Alva informed that, for the past 8 years UPCL has extended its grant for the developments of various religious centres, which mainly includes construction of temple in UPCL plant vicinity for offering puja by villagers, grants for construction of dining hall at Udupi Sri Krishna Temple, food distribution to the Yellur Vishweshwara Temple, developments to Santuru Subramanya Temple, developments to Pilar Mahalingeshwara Temple, developments to Pilar Infant Jesus Church, community hall construction for Padebettu Subramanya Swamy Temple, developments to Belapu Badirya Masjid, developments to Palimaru Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple, developments to Palimaru St Pious Church, development to Uchila Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple, developments to Belapu Jarandaya Temple, developments to Mudarangadi St Francis Church, developments to Adve Garadi, Developments to Sri Mookambika Bhajana Mandir, as per the request of Udupi district police. In the health sector too, UPCL has extended big grant for Udupi district hospitals as per the advice of district administration, Alva said. Alva expressed happiness that, in addition to the CSR activities in the field of education, health, infrastructure development, promotion of rural sports, UPCL has created a revolution and milestone by widening the CSR grants to the religious centres of all community.
While receiving the CSR grant letter, Dr M N Rajendra Kumar, welcomed the initiation of UPCL CSR in extending the grants to historical ancient Anekere Chaturmukha Kerebasadi. He informed that the historical Basadi needed immediate attention for rejuvenation, which is being fulfilled by UPCL.