Abbakka Utsava should strengthen communal harmony: UT Khader

December 28, 2011

Mangalore, December 28: Mangalore MLA U T Khader has said that upcoming 'Abbakka Utsava' should be an inspiration for the people of coastal Karnataka to strengthen the spirit of freedom and harmony in the society.

Mr Khader, who is the honorary president of the celebration committee of 'Veera Rani Abbakka Utsava-2012' was speaking at a preparatory meet organised at Click Marriage Hall at Thokkottu here on Tuesday.

“Abbakka Utsava is the celebration of pride of Kannada land and people of all caste, creed and religion must celebrate it together. The Utsava should be utilised to establish the communal harmony in this part of the state”, he said.

The reception committee president of Abbakka Utsava Samiti, former MLA K Jayaram Shetty gave the introductory speech. Secretary Dinakar Ullal in his speech gave information about previous festivals and sought the co-operation of everyone for the forthcoming festival.

General Secretary Bhaskar Rai Kukkuvalli explained the features of the festival and also about the Abbakka awards. K Tharanath Rai and Dhanalaxmi introduced the sports and cultural competitions of the fest.

Condolence Meet

The Abbakka Utsav Samiti paid homage to former Karnataka chief minister S Bangarappa, who died on Sunday by organising a condolence meet. The Samiti also condoled the demise of DK Zilla Panchayat former president Santhosh Kumar Bhandary and Karnataka Tulu Sahitya academy former member M Anand Shetty.

Members of the Samithi Sadananda Bangera, R K Ullal, Abdul Aziz Hak, U P Aliyabba, Smt Suvasini, Padmavathi,Rathnavathi Baikady, Mallika S,Devaki R Ullal, Vijayalaxmi Shetty and others were present.

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Mangaluru Airport turns political stage: Congress workers chant for DKS as Venugopal arrives

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December 3,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 3: A group of Congress workers gathered at the Mangaluru International Airport on Wednesday to welcome AICC general secretary K C Venugopal, but the reception quickly turned into a display of support for Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.

Venugopal arrived in the city to participate in the centenary commemoration of the historic dialogue between Mahatma Gandhi and Narayana Guru. The event, organised by the Sivagiri Mutt, Varkala, in association with the Mangalore University Sri Narayana Guru Study Chair, is being held on the university’s Konaje campus.

KPCC general secretary Mithun Rai and several party workers had assembled at the airport to receive Venugopal. However, the moment he stepped out, workers began raising slogans backing Shivakumar.

The university programme will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

This show of support comes just a day after Siddaramaiah remarked that Shivakumar would lead the government “when the high command decides.” The chief minister made the comment after a breakfast meeting at Shivakumar’s residence—another public display of camaraderie between the two leaders amid ongoing attempts by the party high command to downplay their leadership rivalry.

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Puttur's Healthcare Dream Cleared: State Finance Gives Nod for 300-Bed Hospital

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December 2,2025

Puttur: The long-cherished dream of a government medical college in Puttur has moved a decisive step closer to reality, with the Karnataka State Finance Department granting its official approval for the construction of a new 300-bed hospital.

Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai announced the crucial development to reporters on Monday, confirming that the official communication from the finance department was issued on November 27. This 300-bed facility is intended to be the cornerstone for the establishment of the government medical college, a project announced in the state budget.

Fast-Track Implementation

The MLA outlined an aggressive timeline for the project:

• A Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the hospital is expected to be ready within 45 days.

• The tender process for the construction will be completed within two months.

Following the completion of the tender process, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is scheduled to lay the foundation stone for the project.

"Setting up a medical college in Puttur is a historical decision by the Congress government in Karnataka," Rai stated. The project has an estimated budget allocation of Rs 1,000 crore for the medical college.

Focus on Medical Education Department

The MLA highlighted a key strategic move: requesting the government to implement the hospital construction through the Medical Education Department instead of the Health and Family Welfare Department. This is intended to streamline the entire process of establishing the full medical college, ensuring the facilities—including labs, operation theatres, and other necessary infrastructure—adhere to the strict guidelines set by the Medical Council of India (MCI). The proposed site for the project is in Bannur.

Rai also took the opportunity to address political criticism, stating that the government has fulfilled its promise despite "apprehensions" and "mocking and criticising" from opposition parties who had failed to take similar initiatives when they were in power. "Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has kept his word," he added.

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