Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (NR)

Udupi, Dec 13: Make adequate provisions for up-keep of the statue of former MP U Srinivas Mallya at the New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) premises, was the demand made by the MP Manorama Madhwaraj in a letter written to the NMPT chairman here recently.

Writing ardently in Mallya’s honour, Manorama reportedly stated in the letter that Ullal Srinivas Mallya is the father of modern Dakshina Kannada. He is a four-term Parliamentarian and a visionary of the highest order, whose birth centenary had also been celebrated recently with great pomp and splendor.

His major achievement is the number of bridges and the National Highways-17 and 48 in the undivided Dakshina Kannada district. In fact, she in the letter informs that the credit for establishing the New Mangalore Port Trust and the airport at Bajpe also goes entirely to him.
Further according to her the credit for starting the earlier Mangalore-Bangalore railway, AIR in the city and the KREC at Suratkal are all also part of his achievements. In the letter she states that although a statue of this great leader has been installed at the entrance of the NMPT, it has not been taken care of with the up-keep of this statue being less than ordinary.

It is covered in dirt and the dust fallen all over it from the mine carrying trucks, makes it a poor sight, indeed. Moreover there is widespread concern expressed by people in this matter, she added.

In conclusion she made a plea “As a representative of the people, I request you to look into the matter at the earliest and see to it that the statue is kept in clean and dignified manner in accordance with the greatness of this noble soul.”