Mangalore: Spectacular start to Alva's Vishwa Nudisiri-Virasat
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore(MD)
Mangalore, Dec 20: Alva’s Vishwa Nudisiri Virasat-2013, a three-day cultural extravaganza organized by Alva's Education Trust, got off to a stunning start on Thursday December 19 at Sundari Ananda Alva Campus, Vidhyagiri, Moodbidri.
Prior to the inaugural ceremony, a grand procession depicting the coastal region's folk culture was flagged off by folk artiste Nadoja Bommagowda at Chowta’s Palace. More than 110 folk teams with over 5,000 folk artistes participated in the procession that culminated at the venue of the event.
Dr M Mohan Alva, chairman, Alva’s Education Trust, introduced the guests and said, "My wish is to make our culture reach far and wide. I have been planning for Alva's Vishwa Nudisiri Virasat-2013 from a long time by inviting the former presidents and the plan has worked without any roadblock. Through Nudisiri programmes we strive to showcase our cultural celebrations, our discipline and attachment to our culture. This has motivated us to keep on organising this event in the future too."
Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Dr Veerendra Heggade inaugurated the event.
He said, "I am very happy to be part of this ceremony and all the guests here on stage are great personalities. Dr M Mohan Alva is doing a very good job. He has sacrificed a lot for this programme.
"We always pray to God for a peaceful life. After the World War II, UNESCO was formed to restore peace in the world. They composed a song which was released to the whole wide world so that everyone could understand its meaning and stop fighting. A person should not think of only making money in his life. His mind should be filled with thoughts of religion, culture and so on," he said.
"In future, Alva's College Moodbidri will be filled with awards, as the college has been bringing out so many talents. I have asked the government to make cultural activities compulsory in all schools and colleges. I want all schools to organise cultural programmes and even make it a subject," he said.
"People should not bring religion into culture. May Kannada live forever," said Dr Veerendra Heggade, wishing good luck for the sucess of the event.
Former presidents of Alva's Nudisiri and Virasat were honoured during the inaugural ceremony. They were Dr Baraguru Ramachandrappa, Dr S L Bhyrappa, Dr Chandrashekar Kambara, Vaidehi, and Dr K S Nissar Ahmed.
Well-known literatteur, researcher, poet, and retired vice-chancellor of Hampi Kannada University and KSOU Dr B A Vivek Rai who presided over this year's event, was honoured with the 'Alva's Vishwa Nudisiri-Virasat-2013' Award.
Acknowledging the honour, Dr Vivek Rai said, "I was born in Punacha of Puttur taluk. After completing my school, PU and BSc in Puttur, I did my MA in Kannada and PhD in Mysore University. I have done research in the field of language and culture, written books, poems, novels, etc and bagged a number of awards.
"My parents taught me Tulu and it is my world. Since first standard I started learning Kannada and I am still learning. Kannada is still attracting me to new things. Because of caste, creed and race our Kannada has shattered. Through our Vishwa Nudisiri Sammelana our political parties, religious organisations and social organisations should strive to promote Kannada.
"In Karnataka a huge amount of agricultural land is being sold to builders. The government should stop this and give the land back to the farmers. Farmers should be provided with benefits and given sufficient water, power and transportation. Multi-national companies must be stopped from stealing land from farmers. The ultra mega power plant project at Niddodi should be scrapped. Because of such companies well water is turning saline, crops are dying due to drought, people are falling sick and many more things are happening. The government should take action against the owners of the company," he said.
"People are migrating from Karnataka to different states in search of jobs. People who are staying in other states are spreading our culture and they are doing a very good job," he pointed out, adding, "People who are staying near the borders are fighting for our culture and trying to save it."
"From the past nine years, students and people from different states have been taking part in 'Alva's Nudisiri' and this is a proud moment for everyone. To spread Kannada to other countires, we have to first lay down a strong foundation for Kannada in Karnataka. Kannada must be taught in every school and college. Wikipedia is one of the world's best directory and Wikipedia is available in Kannada since 2003. There are more than 15,000 articles in Kannada Wikipedia," he said.
Ministers B Ramanath Rai, Vinay Kumar Sorake, U T Khadar and K Abhayachandra Jain, former minister K Amarnath Shetty, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, MP Jayaprakash Hegde, Mangalore south MLA J R Lobo, Mangalore north Mohiuddin Bava, Sullia MLA S Angara, Karkala MLA Sunil Kumar, Udupi MLA Pramod Madhwaraj and Kannada Sahithya Parishat president Pundalika Halambi were present.