Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Feb 5: "Wueem Abbakka valiantly fought against the Portuguese aggression at a time when the country was technologically and educationally lagging behind. She has been an inspirational force for all of us. In the coming days, we will ensure that Abbakka Utsav is held on a grand scale on the lines of Hampi Utsav, Sangolli Rayanna Utsav etc," said minister, U T Khader. He also said that the state government will soon construct 'Abbakka Bhavan' by spending Rs 8 crore, recollecting that the Utsav had earlier been conducted by pooling donations, and that a plan had been drawn to build the Bhavan at a cost of Rs 5 crore.
was speaking after inaugurating the two-day 'Veerarani Abbakka Utsav' which went under way on Saturday February 4 at the central Maidan of Asaigoly here. The programme is being held under the joint aegis of Kannada and culture department, and Veerarani Abbakka Utsav Samiti. He called upon the present day youth to draw inspiration from ideals of Abbakka, who fought for getting justice for the people during the times of crisis, even overlooking danger faced to her life. "We have been getting technologically and educationally forward, but when it comes to humanitarian concerns, we are slipping backward," he lamented.
Dakshina Kannada district deputy commissioner, Dr K G Jagadeesh inaugurated cultural programmes. Chairman of Mangalore Urban Development Authority, Suresh Ballal, inaugurates different sessions being held on Sunday at the venue.
Tahsildar of the local taluk, Mahadevappa, Ravikumar of Kannada and culture department, Dakshina Kannada sports officer, Pradeep D'Souza, zilla panchayat member, Dhanalakshmi Gatti, Konaje gram panchayat president, Shaukat Ali, vice president, Lalita S Rao, Konkani Sahitya Academy president, Roy Castelino, and several other dignitaries were present. Leading personaliti es from the state like D V Sadananda Gowda, Kannada and culture minister, Umashree and others,whose names were mentioned in the invitation cards, were conspicuous by their absence.
A grand procession and cultural programmes were also held.