Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi
Udupi, Aug 25: The silver jubilee celebration of Udupi district was kicked off by MLA Raghupati Bhat with a grand Shobhayathra, which began from the Board high school, near the service bus stand here on Thursday, August 25.
Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot inaugurated the silver jubilee celebration and was felicitated by the district administration.
Speaking on the occasion, he said, “Udupi is popularly known as temple town as it is blessed with a number of temples. I am happy to be here and participate in such a historical event. Udupi has grown speedily after the formation of a separate district. Even infrastructure facilities has developed on a large-scale.
"Udupi has ample natural resources. I wish Udupi may shine among the top districts of Karnataka. This is an event to keep precious moments alive. Madhwacharya brought lord Krishna here and established a temple along with the ashta mathas. Karkala is famous for carving beautiful statues and wood works.
"Udupi is not only enjoying recognition at the state-level but it had also gained recognition at the global level as it is a culturally, religiously and socially rich district. I would promote and believe in truth, sacrifice and non-violence.
“Another speciality of Udupi district is that the population of women outnumber the men. Please maintain that balance in population. I would say, if I can do something for the development of tourism in Udupi, for sure I will extend my support all the way,” he said.
Prior to the silver jubilee function, a palanquin was carried out along the main junctions of the city. It passed through Thriveni Junction- Alankar road- Syndicate tower- PPC road- Court road- Hotel Diana circle and ended at the district stadium, Ajjarkad.
Union Minister for State for farmers welfare and agriculture Shobha Karandlaje, and district in-charge minister S Angara, shared their views on development of Udupi.
Kota Srinivas Poojary, minister of Social Welfare and Backward Classes, and Jayaprakash Hegde, president, Backward Classes Commission were also present. Representatives who had served during the formation of the district and the programme sponsor were recognised.
Kannada and Culture Minister Sunil Kumar, Halady Srinivas Shetty, MLA Kundapur, Manjunath Bhandary, MLC, Sumithra Nayak, president, City Municipality Council Udupi, Mattaru Ratnakar Hegde, president, Coastal Development authority, Mangaluru, Hackay Akshay Machindra, district Superintendent of Police, Manohar Kalmady, president, Udupi Urban Development Authority and Zilla Panchayat CEO Prasanna H, Veena assistant commissioner and others were present.
Kurma Rao, deputy commissioner welcomed the guests.
Artistes led by Ashok Kamath and team welcomed the governor by performing Yakshagana.
Former chief minister Veerappa Moily was welcomed by the BJP leaders. The first IAS officer of the newly carved out district Kalpana Gopalan was also present.
A cultural programme performed by a professional team was presented after the stage function.