JOIN USColourful kites dotting the sky featuring the different art forms and Gods, hurray sounds of spectators from the Kabaddi court, screaming of youth with delight and excitement at water sports—Ullal has turned into a festive mood.
Hundreds of people, including children, families and students gathered at the Ullal beach on Saturday evening to take part in the Ullala Beach Festival 2012.
The beach games, kite show, water sports and food festival were the major attractions on the day one of this two-day fest. This is for the first time, Ullal is witnessing a beach festival. The festival is organised as a part of the silver jubilee celebrations of Ullal Maruthi Yuvaka Manadala.
Water sports are the one of the main attraction of the festival where many lined up in queue for a ride on the Jet Ski, speed boat and 16-seater vessel. The volunteers in orange t-shirts had a tough day on Saturday, controlling the visitors.
“It is a great experience and my family enjoyed the ride in the sea,” said Sachin, from Mulki, who is working as a restaurant manager in London.
“Nice to see such a good arrangement and participation, especially when a programme is conducted in the outskirts of the city,” he added. “This is for the first time I am having a ride in the sea.
It was a memorable experience,” said Vidya, a home maker from Thokkottu.
Beach throw ball for women and Kabaddi for men were the competitions held.
Moodbidri Alva’s College eves team won the throw ball event, beating their B team. In the men’s Kabaddi, Ullal Vidyaranna won the trophy.
Kites were another attraction. More than 30 kites, from Team Mangalore, spilled colours to the sky of Ulall beach. The kites with different designs depicted the heritage of the coastal city. “First time we are flying our kites here. It’s a wonderful experience,” said Nithin Shetty of Team Mangalore. The food stalls and the amusement park set in the beach also elicit good response from the public.
Inauguration
Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel inaugurated the beach festival. MRPL Deputy General Manager Laksmi M Kumaran and Entrepreneur Jagadish Bolar inaugurated the new building of Mogaveera Higher Primary School. Salumarada Thimmakka, Harekala Hajabba and Ullal Mohan were given away ‘Maruthi Sadhaka Prashasthi’ during the inaugural function.
Youth icons from the city Vilas Nayak (artist), Nihal Ullal (Cricketer) and Prathibha Shetty (agriculturist) were also felicitated with ‘Maruthi Yuva Prashasthi’. KIOCL General Manager Vidyananda released the souvenir during the occasion. Mangalore MLA U T Khader presided over the function.The two-day fest will conclude on Sunday.