Pics: Daya Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (CLP) 

Mangaluru, May 24: A large crowd came to witness ‘Pilikula Vasantotsava', a fruit extravaganza organized by Dr Shivaram Karanth Pilikula Nisargadhama at the opposite of Pilikula Zoo, here on Sunday May 24.

The fruit extravaganza was inaugurated by chairman of Indo-American Hybrid Seeds Padma Shri Dr Manmohan Attavar by cutting the fruit.

Speaking on the occasion, S A Prabhakara Sharma, executive director, Dr Shivarama Karantha Pilikula Nisarga Dhama said, “70 stalls were booked voluntarily by the fruit growers of the city which was an inspiration for us. The festive mode at Pilikula was possible because of many people. I am thankful to Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim for his support shown for the Vasantotsava. We have decided to organize Vasantotsava every year. The main aim of the Vasantotsava is to make children aware of the fruits and trees. We will conduct the quiz competition and the prizes will be given in forms of fruits henceforth. I wish all the success for the Vasantotsava”.

Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim said, “The main aim of organizing the Vasantotsava is to make the youth to know about the past tradition and save the perishing fruits of coastal region. We have boating facility, zoo, heritage ‘Guttina Mane’, star hotel but very few people come to Pilikula. The efforts are made to reach out to people. I am happy with the response of the people. The administration will plan more people friendly programmes in the coming years. The people are developing more interest towards natural things so we went one step ahead and organized this Vasantotsava. The positive approach of people towards this event is an inspiration for all of us. People have come in large numbers since morning and we are expecting more people in the evening and we are hopeful that all the fruits and eatables will be sold out by evening. We not only expect people to come here and enjoy but also take the plants and grow them at home”.

Jackfruit, wild Jackfruit, Mango, wild Jamun, Kokum, saplings of Kokum, Sapota, Guava, Savayava vegetables, Swavalambi Santhe, seeds of vegetables, spot preparation of fruit delicacies, sale of saplings of sandal wood, teak wood etc by the forest department were displayed in 70 stalls.

The chairman of Indo-American Hybrid Seeds Padma Shri Dr Manmohan Attavar was honoured on the occasion.

Jayashree Aravind and troupe gave a classical performance for the music lovers on the occasion.

MLA J R Lobo, Kalkura Prathishtana president, Pradeep Kumar Kalkura, Chandrasekhar Chauta, governing member of Dr Shivaram Karanth Pilikula Nisargadhama, president of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy Roy Castelino and others were present on the occasion.