'Religious heads should create awareness on communal harmony,' says Karnataka minister Dinesh Gundu Rao

Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada District In-charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has called upon religious heads of temples, mosques, and churches to guide devotees towards peace and harmony, emphasising that true development is possible only through communal harmony and unity.

Speaking after unfurling the national flag during 79^th Independence Day celebrations organised by the district administration at Nehru Maidan in Mangaluru, he urged artistes in fields such as theatre, Yakshagana, and other cultural spheres to spread the message of harmony and to work collectively for the district’s all-round progress without allowing any scope for violence.

The Minister said that paying tribute to the great leaders who sacrificed their lives for the nation’s freedom is the duty of every Indian, adding that Independence Day is not just a day of celebration but also one for introspection.

He stressed the importance of preserving and passing on the true history of the freedom struggle, without distortion, to future generations.

Announcing development projects, he said that under the Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Department, works worth Rs 400 crore will be taken up this year in the third phase of the Kukke Subrahmanya Temple Master Plan to develop infrastructure and provide essential facilities.

He added that ministers and senior officials will hold meetings to resolve long-standing issues in the form 9/11 in E-Swathu property records that have troubled residents for over two decades.

Highlighting infrastructure upgrades, he noted that Rs 13 crore has been sanctioned for developing the Guruvayanakere–Uppinangady–Puttur highway, while selected stretches of the Subrahmanya–Manjeshwar, Kadur–Kanhangad, and Surathkal–Kabaka roads will be widened, with bridges expanded and elevation works taken up. He said congested stretches of district roads have been widened and damaged roads repaired.

Under the Chief Minister’s Amrit Nagarothana Phase 4 scheme, Rs 110 crore has been sanctioned to 13 urban local bodies in the district, with 144 projects already completed. He also announced that 19 Indira Canteens have been sanctioned in the district to serve affordable meals with a revised menu, while the process is underway to start seven more canteens.

In the health sector, the Minister said that approval has been granted for a Rs 90-crore Outpatient Department (OPD) block at Wenlock Hospital, and a newly built Cath Lab will soon be opened to the public. He added that taluk hospitals will be equipped with at least two specialist doctors for maternal and child care. 

The Minister said that various infrastructure works have been approved for Ullal beach, while Panambur and Tannirbhavi beaches will be developed and maintained through public-private partnership.

Reserve police inspector Baganna Valikar was the chief commander of the parade leading platoons during the Independence Day parade.

Bharat Seva Dal and NCC (Army) wing team won the first and second place in march past.

Calwyn Gidyon Soans, Adish Jain and Mohammed Shayan who secured good marks in SSLC examinations, Ayisha, Mohammed Suhail and Mohammed Sinan who secured good marks in PU exams were honoured on the occasion.