Why Pay Full Entry Ticket Price When Karavali Utsav Exhibition is Not Fully Operational?
Mangaluru: Even though the inauguration of the Karavali Utsav 2018 took place in a grand manner with variety of floats and other cultural programmes marking that day on 21 December.. A procession of cultural troupes from different parts of the State and an exhibition of rare photographs of the city marked the beginning of the 10-day Karavali Utsav. Music composer Guru Kiran and Dakshina Kannada in-charge Minister U.T. Khader did the inauguration at the Karavali Grounds. The procession began around 4 p.m. from Nehru Maidan by the blowing of conch shell and beating of instruments brought from different temples. The procession was led by chende players and was followed by Huli Vesha dance, Koraga Gaja Mela, Tattiraya, Kangeelu, and Daff player troupes.
Presiding over start of the utsav and the inauguration of the exhibition, District in-charge Minister U.T. Khader said the event highlighted the rich cultural heritage of the coastal region. Mangaluru, he said, was among the fast-growing cities of the State after Bengaluru and Mysuru. He said there was a need of greater investment in the city. Events such as Karavali Utsav will help project the diverse culture of the region, which will help build Mangaluru as a place for all religions. Music composer Guru Kiran, who inaugurated the festival, said his growth in the profession was because of the support and warmth he received from the people of the region. Well said by these two dignitaries, but trouble came in between through a protest.
Activists, led by Vidya Dinker, put up across the stage a long cloth banner that had the words “Karavali Utsav Ulisi” and blackened the word “Utsav” as a form of protest against the opening of new industries in the city which would pollute the region. The activists placed the banner a few minutes before Khader’s speech. Acknowledging the protesters, Khader said he has directed Deputy Commissioner Sasikanth Sentil S. to act as per law. The Barke police registered a complaint against Ms. Dinker and other activists for displaying the protest banner. The district administration has filed a complaint against the activists. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Hanumantharaya said the activists are accused of obstructing an official function and causing public nuisance.
Even though that was not a good start for the Karavali Utsav, but in the later days, the Utsav had other problems- at a musical concert the power went off, and the the backup generator had problems too- so the show went on with the headlights on from the motorbikes. Even though the Utsav was kicked off on 21 December, but when people after entering the exhibition get shocked to see that half of the stalls/booths are not open, and getting ready. People who had paid the full price of Rs 35 for adults and Rs 25 for children, expressed their anger at finding empty booths, and the exhibition is suppose to run until 4 February 2019.
As per sources, every year Karavali Utsav attracts a huge crowd, but this year the lack of a sufficient number of stalls and entertainment options for visitors has left them disenchanted. It is learnt that only one bidder had come forward to arrange the exhibition, and the contract was awarded to him at Rs 30 lakh, which he has to pay soon. As per MCC Commissioner Mohammed Nazeer, the contractor has already paid that amount, and all the stalls will e assembled soon. But the question is why even open the exhibition when it is not fully ready- and that too charging visitors full price?
Severine Pinto who had gone to the exhibition with her grandkids speaking to Team Mangalorean said, “This is not right. They charge us full price for adults and children, and when we go inside we are cheated, since half of the stalls are not open, and even a few of the amusement rides are not ready My grandkids who wanted to have some fun were disappointed with the facilities at the exhibition. The concerned authorities should have opened the exhibition only after proper arrangements were done and in a full-fledged manner”.
In the meantime, U T Khader speaking to the media had said that he was aware of the issues and has directed DC to look into the matter, and see that everything is ready and the exhibition is run on a full-fledged way, rather than incomplete. So until then, all of you desperately wanting to see the exhibition, enter at your own risk- because you won’t get your money worth! And that’s for sure.