Daijiworld Media Network – Bangaluru(EP)
Bengaluru, May 23: Minister of Health, U T Khader has assured that he will be recommending to the union government that the name of Veera Rani Abbakka be given to the Mangaluru international airport at Bajpe in city.
Speaking during the programme held jointly by the department of Kannada and Culture and Veera Rani Abbakka festival committee at Ravindra Kalakshetra on Sunday, May 22, he said that only those who have studied history know it. “Rani Abbakka is the first woman who stood and fought against foreigners. Today’s students do not know her achievements and importance. Those should be made known”, he said.
Responding to demands that Queens road be named after Rani Abbakka, he said that changing the present name may cause confusion among the people. “It is better to name a new road or a railway station after her”, he said.
“It is suitable to give the name of Abbakka to the airport in Mangaluru. For it, it should be approved in grama panchayat and zilla panchayats. The matter will later be discussed for recommendation to the union government”, he said.
“A statue of Rani Abbakka will be installed in Yashvantpur. The government will be persuaded to include Tulu in 8th chapter of the constitution”, he said. He also requested minister of sports Abhayachandra Jain to start an adventure sports academy in the name of Rani Abbakka.
Minister Abhayachandra Jain assuring that the academy will be started to create awareness about the adventure and struggle of Rani Abbakka said that an amount of Rs 1 crore is set aside for the purpose. “The work will be started soon”, he said.
Former MLA K Jayarama Shetty speaking on the occasion said that communal unrests are recurring these days in the coastal area. Therefore, the principles of Rani Abbakka should be given publicity. A seat of study regarding the Rani should be started, he urged.