Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda said that the State government is ready to organise Veerarani Abbakka Utsava as a government event and a day should be fixed for organising the Utsava which would be declared as Veerarani Abbakka Day.
He was speaking at the valedictory of Veerarani Abbakka Utsava-2012 at Rani Abbakka Vedike at Ucchila Bovi School Ground in Someshwara on Sunday. Commenting on the way the programme is being organised over the years, the Chief Minister said that as Abbakka Utsava has reached the ninth year, a few changes should be introduced and step should be taken while organising the Utsava in the future.
“As the programme is organised in the name of Rani Abbakka who was synonym for courage, the programme will be true to its name if women take a lead and organise the programme.
Women should come forward and take up the complete responsibility and organise the programme,” he said and asked the present organising committee office-bearers to support women to organise the Utsava in future.
Responding to the memorandum submitted by the office-bearers of Veerarani Abbakka Utsava Committee, the Chief Minister promised that he would do his best to meet their demands within the limitations. “Let a delegation approach me in the office and we will discuss the matter,” he said.
Lauding Abbakka for her courage and determination, he said the youth should learn lessons of patriotism from the life of Abbakka and get inspired from her to serve the nation.
The CM conferred Veerarani Abbakka award to littérateur Lalitha Rai and and Veerarani Abbakka Puraskara to theatre artiste Jayasheela on the occasion.
In a memorandum submitted by the Committee to the CM, they have urged to name Mangalore International Airport after Abbakka. The memorandum also urged to sanction Rs one crore in the budget for organising the 10th year of Rani Abbakka Utsava next year.
Other demands include Rs six crore for construting Veeerarani Abbakka memorial in Ullal, naming one of the main circles in Mangalore city as Rani Abbakka Circle, inclusion of life of Abbakka in the text books at the school level and others.
Deputy Speaker N Yogish Bhat, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, Zilla Panchayat President Shailaja Bhat, MLA U T Khader, Balbhavan President Sulochana Bhat and others were present.
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