Udupi District Marks 71st Kannada Rajyotsava with Pomp and Pledge for Progress
Udupi: It is my vision to take Udupi district to greater heights of development. Plans are being formulated to create more tourism opportunities in both the coastal and Malnad regions. Special priority will be given to the development of tourism, fisheries, agriculture, horticulture and youth, said District Minister Rizwan Arshad.
He was speaking after hoisting the national flag and receiving the guard of honour from various contingents during the district-level Kannada Rajyotsava celebrations held at Mahatma Gandhi District Stadium in Udupi on Sunday.
Having been born and raised in the culturally vibrant city of Mysuru, he considered it a blessing from Kannada Thayi to serve as the district minister of Udupi, the cultural heart of the coastal region and the abode of Lord Krishna. He said he would always remain grateful for the opportunity to serve the land and repay his debt to Kannada and its people.
He said it was a privilege to serve Udupi, a district renowned for communal harmony, brotherhood and equal respect for all religions, in the sacred presence of Lord Krishna and the spiritual legacy of the pontiffs of the Ashta Maths.
Recalling the values instilled in him by his parents, he said he learnt to love everyone without discrimination based on caste, creed, sect or religion. Religion should remain a personal matter and should not be brought onto the streets. Once people step out of their homes, temples, mosques and churches, they should see themselves as Indians and Kannadigas. He firmly believed that no religion was greater than humanity.
The message of Kannada’s Adikavi Pampa, ‘Manuja Kulam Taanonde Valam’ (The human race is one), should serve as a guiding principle for everyone. This land has a unique legacy, having been walked by great personalities such as Madhwacharya, saint Kanakadasa, and Narayana Guru, who came to Udupi from Kerala and spread the message of equality.
He also recalled the contributions of Khan Bahadur Haji Abdullah Qasim Saheb, who respected maths and mosques alike, irrespective of religious differences, and nurtured a tradition of charity and philanthropy.
He said it was a matter of pride to be associated with a region that is home to two prominent churches of religious and cultural significance in Karnataka. St. Mary’s Basilica in Shivajinagar, Bengaluru, and Attur Church in Udupi are among the important centres of Christian heritage in the state.
He also paid tribute to Jnanpith Award-winning Kannada writers Kota Shivaram Karanth and Dr. U.R. Ananthamurthy, Paa.Vem. Acharya, who made immense contributions to Kannada vocabulary, storyteller Vyasaraaya Ballal, and Dr. T.M.A. Pai, who transformed Manipal into a major educational hub.
He said Udupi was proud to be the home district of Rishab Shetty, whose remarkable acting has attracted national attention, and Rakshit Shetty, who ushered in a new wave in Kannada cinema.
Describing Udupi as a land of intellectuals and enlightened people, he expressed satisfaction that the district had been declared fully literate, reflecting the talent and achievements of its students.
A tourism development project worth approximately Rs. 48 crore has been planned on 7.07 acres of land along the beaches of Trasi and Maravanthe. The project will include a resort, an amusement park and facilities to promote sports activities.
Describing the sea as one of the district’s greatest assets, he said steps had been initiated to establish the ‘Karnataka Institute of Marine Technology and Blue Economy’ at the Government Fisheries College following the approval of the Karnataka Biotechnology Policy. A decision had also been taken to increase student intake at the Fisheries College from 60 to 200.
He said priority was being given to the implementation of guarantee schemes, the Prajaseva Department, maintenance of fisheries connectivity roads, establishment of Bharat Jodo Youth Clubs to benefit young people, quality healthcare, climate-based crop insurance, promotion of agriculture and horticulture, and strengthening the fisheries sector, which forms the economic backbone of the district.
Emphasis was also placed on the effective implementation of the innovative initiative ‘Kala Nadige, Nimma Balige’ (Art Walks to Your Doorstep), aimed at encouraging local artists and providing cultural experiences to tourists visiting the coastal region.
He expressed happiness that five gram panchayats in Udupi district had been selected for national awards and that the Udupi Zilla Panchayat had also received the National Panchayat Award. He congratulated everyone who had contributed to these achievements.
Udupi, closely associated with the culture of Tulu Nadu, has made significant contributions to Karnataka’s rich cultural heritage. It was unfortunate that attempts were being made to sow seeds of hatred among people in a region with such a glorious legacy. Everyone must remain vigilant against such divisive efforts. The identity of being Indians and Kannadigas should take precedence over caste, religion and sect. There was no need to separately explain this to the enlightened people of the district, he said.
Calling upon everyone to unite in the spirit of ‘Let all the children of Kannada come together’, he said Kannada Rajyotsava should not remain a one-day celebration but should become a daily festival, as envisioned by poet K.S. Nisar Ahmed.
Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna, Deputy Commissioner Swaroopa T.K., Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Prateek Bayal and others were present at the programme.