Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Nov 17: The second edition of the two-day conference on 'Sustainable Smart Cities India' organized by Mangaluru City Corporation drew to a close at TMA Pai Convention Hall here on Tuesday November 17.

Addressing the valedictory ceremony, health minister U T Khader congratulated Nispana, the co-organizer ofthe event and MCC for hosting the conference and providing such a platform for discussion on the Smart City project. He particularly lauded MCC executive engineer Dharmaraj for his efforts in organizing the event.

"Though we have a big city like Bengaluru in Karnataka, it is Mangaluru that has been selected in the 100 Smart City list. Mangaluru has thus been recognized nationally and entire India is looking towards Mangaluru. Our city has all the potential to qualify as a Smart City, however, citizens' participation is equally important in this project.

"Mangaluru should come first in the list of 20 cities to be selected in the first phase, and we have time till December to achieve this. Everyone should put in their efforts to bring Mangaluru to the top spot," he urged.

"Some other cities in Karnataka have also been selected for Smart City project, but Mangaluru is the only one moving at a high speed towards making it to the top 20 list. People's involvement is very essential and it will lead to success. There is a difference between foreign countries and India - in foreign countries, they work only according to laws, rules and regulations, but in India, we have to work according to not only rules and laws, but there are also traditions, customs and practices that we have to follow and respect. Both should be equally balanced," he said.

"The health sector in Mangaluru has improved. If foreign tourists can get visas on arrival here, Mangaluru can grown into a better treatment hub for poor countries," he opined.

He also suggested that the MCC should give more emphasis to systematic rainwater flow and improve the inlet and outlet system.

"People should give up greed and selfishness and work together for the development of the city. Let us become one of the first Smart Cities of India," he said.

The guests were felicitated with mementos.

MCC commissioner H S Gopalkrishna welcomed the gathering while Arvind Shekar proposed the vote of thanks.

Deputy mayor Purushotham Chitrapur, opposition party leader Sudheer Shetty, MD of Nispana Narendra Kumar and others were present.