Mangaluru: The District Administration in association with Kannada and Culture Department and the Shivaram Karanth Biological Park, held a cultural festival “Suggi-Huggi”, at Pilikula here on February 28.
Prior to the inaugural ceremony Former ‘Mr World’ Raymond D’Souza inaugurated the Volleyball tournament.
The 2 KMs of interlock pavement inside the Pilikula Zoo was inaugurated by MP Nalin Kumar Kateel by unveiling the plaque.
The cultural festival began with the state anthem. MP Nalin Kumar also inaugurated the cultural Festival “Suggi-Huggi” by beating the drums.
Addressing the mediapersons Nalin Kumar Kateel said, “I have the responsibility to distribute the funds to all the development works in the district from the MPLAD fund. From the 14th MPLAD fund (2012-13 and 2013-14) Rs 35 lakh was pending and when I discussed about the pending amount, the Deputy commissioner requested funds for the development work in Pilikula zoo. Since many people come to Pilikula and visit the zoo it was difficult for them to walk on the uneven pavement in the Zoo. Out of the Rs 35 lakh, I have given Rs 33 lakh for the interlock pavement work. This park is not only for the people of the district but people from all over the country and outside come to Pilikula. Pilikula is visited by tourists, whatever we will invest here will help to promote Pilikula tourism.”
He further said, “The work of laying the interlocks has been done very well. Some of the Pilikula development works which are pending will be completed within a year from the MPLAD fund. The remaining development work in the Pilikula park will also be done”, he said.
When asked about the Railway Budget, Nalin said, “This is a good budget, earlier there were only promises which were not fulfilled. It is very easy to put forth our demands but very difficult to get approval because due to the FDI most of the projects are being rejected. The demand to upgrade the Mangaluru central railway station to international standards is still pending. Keeping in mind the total development of the railways, the government has released a good budget. This is the first time Rs 580 crore has been directly reserved in the budget for our district. There are many other demands, one among them is to extend the Bengaluru – Mangaluru railway and to increase the capacity, A new Mumbai – Mangaluru train and to decrease the Bengaluru – Mangaluru time by diverting the train through Shravanabelagola.
When asked about Narendra Modi’s vision, Nalin said that Modi’s vision is to see the country in number one place in 10 years. Modi is not thinking about short term results but is thinking about the future and ruling the country.
Deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim, President Konkani Sahitya Academy Roy Castelino, Dr Prabhakar Sharma, Dr Jayaprakash Bhandary and others were also present.