Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network- Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Nov 25: Veera Rani Abbakka Utsava Samithi office bearers have said that they have been repeatedly demanding to name the Mangaluru International Airport after Veera Rani Abbakka since the committee was founded in the year 1997.

The committee said in a press statement that during every annual Abbakka Utsava, resolutions were passed in the dais where stalwarts like Dr D Veerendra Heggade, the late Dr Shivaram Karanth, the late Kayyara Kinhanna Rai, Veerappa Moily and many others were present. The committee has been urging the Prime Minister, chief minister of Karnataka, Dakshina Kannada district deputy commissioner etc to name the airport in honour of the great Abbakka. Moreover, protests were held opposite the municipal office, the office of the deputy commissioner etc besides holding press meets and issuing press releases. The committee said it is worried that instead of Abbakka, other names are being considered as far as naming of the airport is concerned.

Reception committee president K Jayaram Shetty president, Dinakar Ullal and others through a press statement have urged the government to name the airport after Veera Rani Abbakka, who was the first freedom fighter of India, a valiant woman who fought against the Portuguese 450 years ago, and brought together people from different categories and defeated the enemies.