Report from Kevin Rodrigues
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Oct 3: Bhoomi Puja for the residential complex, 'Mandavi Emerald,' the 20th project of Mandavi Promoters and Developers, was performed on the morning of Friday October 3, near the End Point, Manipal.
Sadanand Bhat performed Bhoomi Puja rituals as per Hindu customs, while Fr Godfrey Saldanha, priest of Mangalore Derebail Holy Redeemer church and Fr John Noronha, priest of Kallianpur Santhekatte Mt Rosary church, laid the foundation stone and blessed the site.
In the programme that followed, Deepa Rao rendered the prayers, invoking the blessings of Lord Ganesha. Jerry Vincent Dias welcomed dignitaries and guests. Lara Dias and Moni Dias honoured Fr Godfrey Saldanha and Fr John Noronha, by garlanding them, presenting fruits and draping shawls around them.
Chief guests T Sathish Pai, MD of Manipal Media Network Ltd, T Mohandas Pai, MD of Manipal Prakashana Ltd., and T Ashok Pai, MD of Canara Land Investments Ltd., were welcomed and honoured by Jerry Vincent Dias. Udupi municipal president Dinkar Shetty was honoured by Jaison Dias. Ex MP Vinay Kumar Sorake was honoured by the manager of Corporation Bank, Kallianpur branch. Enterpreneur Purushotham B Shetty was honoured by councillor Navin Bhandary.
Architect Ivan Clement gave a detailed presentation on the facilities and other unique features of this new project. The new building, to come up on about four acres of land on the road leading to the End Point in Manipal, will have five towers with 396 apartments, equipped with gymnasium, health club, party clubs, swimming pools, childrens' play area, jogging paths and shopping complex, he explained. Wide driveways to parking slots, generator back-up, CCTVs, sewage and sullage treatment plants, reticulated gas supply, large open space, lavish landscape and aesthetic ambience are the unique features of the project, to be completed in about three years, he said.
Fr Godfrey Saldanha said, that the Dias family, which has come up through hard work, has drawn able support from the Pai family of Manipal. Together, they have beautified Manipal, he added. He recollected how the late T M A Pai had transformed a secluded place like Manipal into a beautiful town. He expressed his happiness at the support being extended by the children of the late T M A Pai to the Dias family in their endeavours and wished that the understanding between the two will grow stronger and contribute further to the improvement of Udupi an Manipal. Every one should work to understand others and towards a peaceful environment, he stressed. He noted, that Mandavi is a famous river that finds its place in mythology. Emerald is a green jewel from the Navaratnas. The new project, Mandavi Emerald, will therefore be pristine, clear and selfless in nature like a river and green and attractive like the emerald, he concluded.
Fr John Norhna, reminiscing olden days, said that when he came to Mangalore, Manipal was full of waste land dotted by rocks and hillocks. Because of the efforts put in by both Pai family and Dias family, Manipal has been transformed into a city that has carved out a permanent place in the history of the country. The buildings that will come up near the End Point will be like a protective cover for the entire Manipal city, he said.
The brochures of the project brought out on the occasion, were released by the dignitaries present. Glen Dias proposed vote of thanks. Ravindra conducted the programme.
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