By Violet Pereira, Team Mangalorean

Mangalore: Tulu Bhavan project launching ceremony was held behind Urva police station here on April 21.

Tulu Academy president Umanath Kotian welcomed the gathering.  The project was inaugurated by lighting the traditional lamp by all the dignitaries.

Addressing the gathering state legislative assembly deputy speaker Yogish Bhat said that the day would be a golden-letter day in the history of Tuluvas because the long-pending and much-awaited dream to have a Tulu Bhavan in Mangalore has finally come true.  Bhat said that Kotian was striving very hard to retain the Tulu culture and tradition,  and all Tuluvas need to join hands towards this.  He urged the contractors and the related officers to work promptly to finish the project within a year of time and to hold the inauguration of the building next year on Akshaya Tadige.

He also requested the authorities to treat this project as their own and not to treat this as government property. He also urged the Tuluvas to contribute towards this project according to their capacity and make this project a successful one.  He also donated Rs 10 lakh from his own fund towards Tulu Bhavan on the occasion.

Former presidents Vaman Nandavar and Sitaram Kulal also spoke on the occasion.  The entire building will be 52,000 sq feet with 12,500 sq ft for  car parking in ground floor and a cultural hall measuring 13,000 sq ft in first floor. In the second floor the  library and museum measuring 11,000 sq ft  will be built.

The government has sanctioned Rs 4.90 crore towards this project and Rs 3 crore has already reached to the deputy commissioner and out of that Rs one crore is handed over to the concerned authority of the project.

MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, deputy mayor of city Amita Kala and Academy registrar Chandrahas Rai were also present.