Mangalore: Bangarappa Honours the Rescue Team at Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (MM/MB)
Pics: Sphoorti Ullal

Mangalore, May 26: Ullal has been a communally sensitive area for many years. Now the by-election fever has gripped this suburb of the city over the past few days.

However, in the middle of the hectic campaigning marked by camping by political heavyweights from all parties, one commendable act of the Mogaveerapatna Swimmers' Association, went much unnoticed, except for a casual mention in the media. But in fact it was a great symbol of communal harmony and national integration.

The swimmers' team, on May 23, had rescued a tourist group of about 25 persons hailing from Andhra Pradesh who were in Ullal to visit the famed Shareeful Madani dargah. For a diversion, they also visited the beach and got into the sea, without realizing the hazards. It is common for the upcountry and inland visitors to get excited when they see the sea water, which they otherwise never get to enjoy.

The Mogaveera team has so far rescued dozens of tourists, irrespective of faith, creed and domicile, and won the admiration of the citizens and the families of those rescued. But they have not been recognized and appreciated the way they deserved.

However, a function held at Ullal on Saturday May 26 evening at Jeppinamogaru as part of the CPI (M) election campaign, perhaps made up the lapse to some extent. State president of Samajwadi party, Lok Sabha member and former state chief minister Sarekoppa Bangarappa felicitated the brave team of the Mogaveerapatna Swimmers' Association who rescued almost 25 persons of a picnic party from drowning.

Kiran Putran, Vasant Salian, Umesh, Yashwant Anchan, Pandavanna Bangera, Vishwanath Bangera and Sharath Kundar were among the felicitated.

Balakrishna Shetty, CPI (M) candidate for the Ullal by-election, CPI (M) leaders B Madhava, G N Nagaraj and others were present at the occasion.