Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, July 28: Deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar announced that the state government will prioritise developing Kundapur as a major tourist destination before considering the proposal for an airport in the region. He was speaking at the valedictory ceremony of Kundapra Kannada Habba held in Bengaluru.
Responding to a memorandum submitted by Kundapra Kannada Pratishtana — which appealed for the establishment of a well-equipped Kundapra Bhavana (cultural centre), a medical college in Kundapur, and an airport near Byndoor — Shivakumar said the government was considering a dedicated tourism policy for the 340-km-long coastal belt. He added, “Let us implement that first, and then think about the airport. Before anything else, Kundapura will be developed as a key tourist hub.”
Praising the organisers, he said, “You have brought together such a huge gathering and demonstrated that this region is truly the heart of Karnataka. It is a central point for people from Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and nearby areas. No one needs to feel excluded.”
Emphasising his connection to the region, Shivakumar remarked that he was present to express solidarity with the people of Udupi and Kundapura.
On the same occasion, renowned filmmaker Yogaraj Bhat was conferred the Oora Gourava award in the presence of the deputy chief minister. In his acceptance speech, Bhat recalled his roots, saying that although he grew up in Dharwad, he was born in Tantrady, Kundapura. He added that his home was steeped in Kundapra culture, and the language shaped their identity and livelihood. He expressed his deep affection for the language and urged everyone to keep speaking and cherishing it.
The two-day cultural event featured a variety of programmes, including Attanige Yakshagana, Alva’s Kala Vaibhava, Barkur Hadagu Nruthyarupaka by the Nandagokula team, traditional childhood games under the theme Bidi Pataki, a passion show, Handaadi quiz, food and book fairs, and several other performances celebrating coastal heritage.
Among those present were actress Rakshitha Prem, entrepreneur K Prakash Shetty, writer-journalist Jogi, Upendra Shetty of Universal Group of Institutes, actors Shine Shetty and Praveen Shetty, Lifeline Tender Chicken MD Kishore Hegde, VL Group MD Anjali Vijay, AS Groups MD Satish Shetty, and Kundapra Kannada Pratishtana members including honorary president Uday Hegde, president Dr Deepak Shetty Barkur, vice president Narasimha Beejadi, secretary Raghavendra Kanchan, joint secretary Ajith Shetty Ultur, and treasurer Vijay Shetty Haladi.