Report and pics Raymond D'Cunha Taccode

Moodbidri, Mar 7: 'Any change in the society, be it in a person or the community, can be effected through proper academic self-education,' opined Alva's Education Foundation chairman Dr M Mohan Alva on Sunday.

He was speaking after lighting the inaugural torch to mark the inauguration of the 'Tulunad Mansa Awareness Conference' here on Swarajya maidan.

'We should know the variety of castes among us and the traditional trades they follow. It is our duty to know our own castes properly so that we can respect other castes properly. The way of Worship is the same for everyone and there is special importance to everyone. Education leads to economic progress which gives importance to everyone,' he added.

Mohammed Ali Abbas of Abbas Doors and Designers, Alangar-Moodbidri released a book on the achievers of the Mansa community, entitled 'Kanada-Katada'. Speaking on the occasion he said the community was not lagging behind on it own but the decent and inspiring things in it were being suppressed by other economically powerful communities.

Dasappa Yedapadav welcomed the gathering. Raghunandan Sena explained the purpose of the conference. Mansa leader Achyuta Sampige presided over the function.  Shekar, Ammukumar, Janaki, Shalini and Babu Alnodi were on the dais.