'Develop infrastructure for economic growth of Tulunadu'

Delivering a talk on ‘Role of Tulunadu in the nation’s economic development’  at a session on ‘experiment, achievement and challenges’ at the Vishwa Tulu Sammelan, Thingalaya said that though the region has highway and railway connectivity, infrastructure has not been developed properly. Similarly, he said, region lacks adequate supply of electricity. Though there was barge mounted power production unit functioning in the state, it has been shifted to Kakinada later, he said adding that the government should take initiative to develop infrastructure for the development of the region.

Thingalaya said that a railway station should be opened close to the new international airport terminal. Similarly, all railway tracks should be doubled to make the railway connectivity smooth and convenient.

“Thomas Munroe, who was the first collector of the district, had opined that the region would not see development at all. However, it was district collector Alexander Reeve who found an emporium of economic development potential in the district,” he added.

Commercialisation of culture
Delivering a lecture on ‘challenges before Tulunadu’ Symbiosis Law School, Pune Principal Shashikala Shetty said that the Tuluva culture has been commercialised due to the influence of modernisation and globalisation. “It is Americanism which spoils our root culture. We have to strive to preserve our root culture,” he added.

Shashikala said that one of the major aspects which affect the Tuluva culture is ‘change’. “Though the economy of the nation developed considerably in the past 10 years, 80 per cent of the farmers had to quit the agriculture field. Agriculture, which a part of our tradition, is vanishing gradually,” she lamented.

Majority of investments in the state were made in Tulunadu. However, the profit goes to other regions, she said adding that people should examine the benefits to region, when any projects were established.

DK as Horticulture district
Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industries former president M Giridhar Prabhu speaking on ‘possibilities for Tulunadu’s development’ said that the Dakshina Kannada district, which produces large scale areca and other horticulture produces, should be declared as a horticulture district.

He said that the yield in horticulture farming in the district is very high compared to any other districts in the nation. Mangalore has more potential for economic development due to many reasons. However, several home industries in the region including handloom is vanishing from the district.

Role of organisations
“The role of Theosophical Society, Arya Samaj, Brahma Samaj and efforts of Sri Narayana Guru, Karnad Sadashiva Rao and Kudmul Ranga Rao is significant in converting Tulunadu into a development hub,” said Mangalore University Economics Professor Sripathi Kalluraya.

Delivering a talk on ‘Role of organisations in the development of Tulunadu’ at the session, he said that about 93 per cent Tuluvas were illiterates till 1850. Schools were opened in the region only after 1900 and this led to a freedom spirit among Tuluvas too.
Industrialist from Mumbai Sathvika R Shetty speaking on ‘job opportunities in Tulunadu and abroad’ said that India will never decline economically, even if all developed countries were in trouble.