Pics: Umesh Marpalli/Justin D’Silva
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD)
Udupi, Dec 31: Malpe beach was filled with tourists and visitors on Sunday, December 30 during the state level Fish Fest.
Fish delicacy lovers had a great time eating their favorite fish items on the beach side.
State level Fish Fest -2018, organised by Dakshina Kannada and Udupi Zilla Sahakari Fish Marketing Federation, Mangaluru, Fisheries Department, S K and Udupi District Co-operative Fish Marketing Federation Ltd, received a very good response. Fried fish items and fish snacks satisfied the taste buds of thousands of people.
Inaugurating the concluding ceremony of Fish Fest 2018, G Shankar, G Shankar Family Trust Udupi said, “Government should show some interest towards the fishing community. If something happens to farmers, it is an issue of concern. The fishing community is also facing many problems. One of our boats named ‘Suvarna Tribhuja’ is missing from so many days. And none of the politicians or the government is interested in searching it. If you support us, we will support you in the next election. We are united and we know what to do if the government does not show interest towards our concerns.”
V Sunilkumar, chief whip of opposition, said, “Malpe has the potential of becoming a great tourist spot. I congratulate the efforts of Yashpal Suvarna in organising this fish fest. We are with the fishermen community. I will try to pressurise the central government in finding the missing boat.”
A two-minute silent prayer was also offered for the safe return of seven fishermen of ‘Suvarna Tribhuja’ boat, which is missing since many days.
Welji Bhai Masani, president, Gujarat State Government Fisherman Co-operative Association (Ltd) said, “I also belong to the fisherman community. All the fishermen of Gujarat have decided to help in searching ‘Suvarna Tribhuja’ boat. Coast Guard and Indian Navy are also working for their rescue. I have also faced this type of situation three times when our boats from Gujarat were missing. Fishermen are great protectors of this country. They prevent outsiders from entering inside the country through sea. Sea is our father and he will surely protect our fishermen from all types of danger.
“The state and central governments should remove excise duty on diesel. This will help fishermen a lot. We have also asked for an appointment with the Prime Minister to tell our problems. He has agreed to it and in January our delegation will meet the PM. As many as 453 fishermen are imprisoned in Pakistan jails. The Pakistan government is not responding to our requests to release them” he added.
Tug-of-war, volleyball, pet show, drawing, sand art competitions were held as part of Fish Fest 2018.
G Shankar, G Shankar Family Trust Udupi and Anand C Kunder, Geetanand Foundation, Kota, were honoured on the occasion.
Many cultural programmes including comedy acts, dance, and singing were held.
Kishore Alva, president Adani UPCL Kota Shrinivas Poojary, opposition leader Vidhana Parishad Lalaji Mendon, MLA, Kaup, Ragupathi Bhat, MLA, Udupi , C T Ravi, MLA, Chikkamagaluru, Dinakar Babu, president, Zilla panchayat, Sheela K Shetty, vice-president, Zilla panchayat, Nalini Pradeep Rao, president, taluk panchayat, Mattar Rathnakar Hegde, district president, BJP, Yogish Shetty, district president, JD(S), Sathish Kunder, president, Fishermen Association, Malpe, Janardhan Thonse and others were present.
Yashpal Suvarna, president, S K, and Udupi District Co-operative Fish Marketing Federation Ltd, Mangaluru, welcomed the gathering. Chandresh compered the programme.