Mangaluru, Nov 14: More than a year after being closed down for renovation, the Town Hall of Mangaluru was finally re-opened on Children’s Day in a colourful ceremony.
Performers of Yakshagana, drama, dance, music, and students, among others, were finding it difficult when the hall remained shut. Had it been open, it’s golden jubilee would have been observed last December. Due to lack of planning by Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) on the extent of works to be taken up, the renovation was mired in controversies.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Deputy Commissioner AB Ibrahim said that the Town Hall, which is situated in the heart of the city of Mangaluru, should be the centre of cultural harmony.
“After a long delay, the renovated Town Hall has been opened. Now it is the responsibility of the people the city to make sure that it should not reach to a position where it has to be renovated again,” he said reminding that the maintenance of the building alone costs Rs 10 lakh a month.
Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister B Ramanath Rai, who cut the ribbon to inaugurate the hall, said that many artistes who couldn’t perform in the Town Hall for last one year, should now utilise this state to unite the people and create harmony in the society.
“It is unfortunate that some fringe groups and bad elements in the society repeatedly trying to disrupt peace in our region. But, peace-loving citizens of Mangaluru should uphold communal harmony by sidelining such elements instead of paying heed to their lies,” he said.
Urban Development Minister Vinaykumar Sorake, who inaugurated the stage programme, called upon the citizens to join their hands together in developing Mangaluru, which is becoming one of the 100 smart cities of India.
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