Mangaluru: Nitte Vice Chancellor Dr Shantharam Shetty inaugurated the Karavali Utsav at the Karavali grounds, Lal Bagh here, on January 23.
Prior to the inauguration a colourful procession with 40 various troupes was held from Kadri Park which culminated at the Karavali Grounds.
The programme began with an invocation. Commissioner of Mangaluru City Corporation Dr H N Gopalakrishna welcomed the gathering.
The programme was inaugurated by Dr Shantharam Shetty by lighting the traditional lamp followed by unfurling the arecanut inflorescence.
Addressing the gathering Dr Shantharam Shetty said, “I am happy to inaugurate the Karavali Utsav. In my 70 years of life, I have spent only 10 years outside the country to pursue my education but I have spent 60 years of my life in this city and I have earned name and fame in my medical career which is because of the love of the people towards me”.
He further said, “Doctors are really busy in their work and they forget what they have gained from the society. But in the Utsav they have invited a doctor to inaugurate the programme. Dakshina Kannada has 5 nationalized banks, educational institutions, Medical institutions and the people of DK have brought fame to the district and the administration has recognized their achievements and honoured them in public”.
He also said that we have to keep our ego away and be a model to others. He said Mangaluru is in the list of 100 smart cities, let us all join hands to make our Mangaluru a smart city before the next Karavali Utsav.
District Minister In-charge Ramanath Rai, MLC Ivan D’Souza also spoke on the occasion. MLA J R Lobo delivered the presidential address.
Mayor Jacintha Alfred, deputy mayor Purushotham Chitrapur, Divya Prabha Gowda, Roy Castelino, B M Haneef and Pradeep Kumar Kalkura were also present.