Pics: Edgar Cardoza
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, May 9: The two days Malpe beach Jalotsav organised by Malpe beach development committee in collaboration with tourism department came to a close on Sunday May 8.
A huge crowd gathered here on the shore of Malpe sea to participate in the jalotsav. It was inaugurated by Udupi MLA Pramod Madhwaraj on Saturday May 7.
He inaugurated the various developmental works carried out by town planning authority and Malpe development committee at the cost of Rs 1.25 crore. The MLA laid the foundation stone for various projects on the beach which will include constructing tourist bus stand on the island, interlocking of road that is connected to the jetty, construction of RCC drainage, huts, granite benches, spacious parking lot, solar lights on the island, toilets, green room, gazebo, repair work of tourist information department and providing infrastructural facilities. The cost of this entire project is Rs 20 lac.
The developmental committee will work on constructing a welcome tower, auto rickshaw stand and they will apply many high-mast lights on the beach in the coming days. Malpe beach will stand out as one of the model beaches in the nation.
Beach cleaning equipment of approximately Rs 70 lac has been purchased. This goes 1 foot deep into the sand and removes all the seaweed.
Madhwaraj announced that St Mary’s Island, Malpe is a ‘no plastic and zero wastage island’. The committee will control the use of plastic and garbage disposal on the beach.
He assured that the department will provide all the required infrastructure for the island including toilets. Two lifeguards and two police have been appointed for the safety of the tourists.
District commissioner R Vishal stated that the beach committee income has been increasing and this will be used for the development of the beach.
Tourists and kids enjoyed their weekend on the jet ski, para sailing, rolling, camel rides and much more.
Other sports organized by the committee were surfing, kayaking, stand up paddle (SUP), speed boat, banana ride, St Mary’s boat, parasailing, ATV and amusement.
On March 7 evening, ‘Adarsha Dampati’ programme was hosted by Jaycee Manipal hill city and there was a folklore performance.
On May 8, the day began with an early morning mass yoga led by Tanmay Goswamy.
Many sports events like throwball, tug-of-war, swimming competition, oat race competition were organized by the tourism department.
The people got to taste a good spread of various seafood delicacies, ice creams, snacks.
At the valedictory, the MLA distributed cash prizes to the winners of the swimming competition organized for the specially abled as well as other age groups. He also distributed prizes to the winning teams of throwball and tug of war.
A live music concert was held by the singing champions from Zee TV, ETV, Colours and Uday TV and Indian act by eastern Mangaluru winners from 'India's got talent'.
The colourful dances performed by Bhargavi Arts and dance academy along with other professional dance troupes like Ocean King Mangaluru, Frictions Dance thrilled the crowd.
An emotional solo was sung by visually impaired Basavraju Gudihal.
RJ Prasanna gave a boost to the Sunday evening cultural programme with his fluent anchoring.
Meenakahi Madhav Bannanje, president and Sandhya Tilakraj, vice president CMC, Udupi, Prashant Amin, Vijay Kundar, Harmis Noronha, councillors were present at the inauguration.
DC R Vishal, Manjunathayya, City Municipal Council Udupi, Sudesh Shetty, organizer, Malpe beach and St Mary's Island, Arun Kumar, Nirmiti Kendra, Roshan Kumar, director, youth and empowerment department and others were present at the valedictory ceremony.