Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Sep 12: The 40-year-old Ashwatha Katte near Mallikatte which was beautified by Bhandary Builders was dedicated to the public by District-In-Charge Minister Ramanath Rai in a formal inaugural ceremony held on September 12.

“Today several trees are axed and no one is bothering to plant saplings. Bhandray Builders have taken the initiative to give Ashwatha Katte a facelift and also installed a unique artwork of a ‘hand holding a tree’, which signifies ‘Save a tree concept’,” said Managing Director of Bhandary builders Lakshmish Bhandary at the inaugural.

“Only by saving tress, Mangaluru can become a smart city. The initiative of renovating the Katte not only safeguards the Peepul tree, but adds to the city’s beautification and creates awareness regarding conserving environment,” said CEO of Bhandary builders Venu Sharma.

The Ashwath Katte which is around 350 sq ft was renovated with a cost of Rs 1.80 lakh. This is the third project undertaken by the Bhandary Builders as part of their corporate social responsibility initiative. Earlier, the builders have spent Rs 9.5 lakh to renovate Vivekananda Park and Rs 13.5 lakh for Kadri Temple circle. Bhandray builders are planning to dedicate one more circle to Mallikatte.

The art work at Ashwath Katte circle has been created by Vakwady Mahendra Acharya, a former student of Mahalasa College and his friends, according to a concept proposed by Lakshmish Bhandary.

Bhandary Builders are involved in residential and commercial building construction since the last 14 years. Work on its recent construction projects, 'Bhandary Heights' at Kottara and 'Bhandary Park Inn' on George Martis Road, is progressing at brisk pace. Work on 'Bhandary Vartika', a 56-storey building that will be the highest building in South India, will begin in a few months.

Director of Bhandary Builders Nikhita L Bhandary, Mayor Kavitha Sanil, MCC Chief Whip Shashidhar Hegde, Corporator Asha D’Silva and others were present.