Mangalore: Glittering Ceremony Marks Presentation of ‘Pingara Rajyotsava Award’ to SKDRDP
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje 
Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (RS/CN)

Mangalore, Nov 10: The annual ‘Pingara Rajyostava Award’ instituted by weekly magazine ‘Pingara’ was presented to Sri Kshetra Dharmastala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP) on Tuesday November 10 at the Town Hall. 

The venue had been decorated with the rich culture of Tulunadu as its theme. 

The award presentation and felicitation was done in a traditional way by the Bishop of Mangalore Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza. The award was received on behalf of Dr D Veerendra Heggade, Dharmadhikari of Dharmstala and president of SKDRDP, by his brother Rajendra Kumar Heggade. 

Speaking on the occasion, the Bishop said that social service means service to God. “The award is not an appreciation, but a recognition of the service rendered to the people. The rural project constituted by Dr Heggade has lit the lamp in the houses of the poor by uplifting them and removing the darkness of poverty.  Helping the poor is a social service which leads them to become strong and face problems”, he said.

“Mother Teresa is a great personality who found God in service and believed that serving the poor and disabled is the way to find God. Her life in service should be followed by everyone to serve in a better way to enlighten another’s life”, added the Bishop.  

Abhayachandra Jain, whip of opposition in state legislative assembly, said that there is no other project which can be compared to the ‘Dharmstala Yojane’, which deserves to be honoured everywhere.

“This project is a grand success where the people of rural areas have understood the capacity of its promoter. Even government projects have found failure, but this has continued with the efforts of Dr D Veerendra Heggade”, he said and appreciated the recognition accorded to SKDRDP through Pingara award.

K Rohini, district information officer, said, “Social work has its own reputation and recognition. We need to dedicating 50 percent of service to our society. Rural development is the need of the hour and should be planned by understanding the basics of society”. 

She added that Dharmstala Rural Development Project has achieved success by identifying the requirements of rural areas.

B A Moideen Bava of United Cricketers, presided over the function.

Dr H L Manjunath, P P Shanbhag, and Udaya Kumar of SDGY were honoured at the programme. 

Journalist Kuntadi Dayananda Pai, Mohan Alva, chairman, Alva’s Education Trust, Walter Nandalike, editor-in-chief of Daijiworld.com, and Grace Pinto, director of Ryan International School, have been presented this award in the past.  

Raymond D’Cunha, editor and publisher of ‘Pingara’ weekly, welcomed all. Musical orchestra by Anitha Samson and team, and Yakshagana on Dharmastala Rural Development Project by Mandarthi T Hiriayanna Shettigar and his team were also held.