Udupi, Oct 5: The annual feast of the Holy Cross was celebrated at Uppinakote, Brahmavar, recently. It was attended by about 600 devotees which is an increase from last year.

This celebration has an interesting history. There is a junction at Uppinakote on National Highway 17, which has a sharp bend. Many accidents have taken place at this spot and some have been fatal. After many such incidents, the priest from St Mary’s Syrian Orthodox Church, Brahmavar, suggested the building of a cross at this spot.

The cross was constructed five years ago and since then every year, this feast of the Holy Cross has been celebrated. Since the cross came up here, there have been no accidents at all at this junction.
 
Villagers from the surrounding areas gather here on the day of the feast and cook food to serve the gathering. Prayers are held in the evening in the house behind the cross. Priests from Brahmavar, Kolal Giri, Sasthan, and Kandlur, conduct the prayers. Further prayers are held at the cross.

Then everyone proceeds in a processesion to Old Uppinkote market, the highway, and back to the cross with candles in their hands and singing of holy hymns. After all the villagers reach back at the cross, the priests bless the faithful and everyone proceeds for dinner.
 
Every day, many truck drivers, travellers, and villagers, stop and light candles at the cross. A permanent drinking water facility has also been provided near the cross for travellers.  

Kundapur, Oct 3: Presiding over the Onam celebrations held under the auspices of the local Kerala-Kannadigas cultural Association here, Kerala Sahitya Academy president Mukundan said that Keralites would always stand for co-existence wherever they go and settle. They provide living testimony to the adage, ‘live and let others live,’ he added.

He was speaking, after awarding 'Dr Kota Shivaram Karanth Award'. "Kerala is known for its highest rate of literacy in the country. Geographically, Kerala is a small state. But the newspaper circulation in the state exceeds 15 lac. This reflects the social awareness of Keralites. Despite the onslaught of globalization, the state of Kerala is still vibrant both with its Marxism and spiritualism," he added.

Moodbidri Alva's Foundation president Dr M Mohan Alva was felicitated with the prestigious 'Dr Kota Shivaram Karanth Award'. Expressing his gratitude for the honour bestowed, Dr Alva told the organizers, that out of the total strength of 8000 students who study in various educational institutions being run by the Foundation in Moodbidri, more than 3,500 students are from Kerala. He described Kerala as a the only state where awareness has been at the highest level, and that no other Indian state can claim this distinction. "It is heartening to note the existence of enduring cordial relationship between Keralites and the Kannadigas, that is going strong without being shaken," he added.

Kundapur town municipal president K Mohandas Shenoy complimented the organizers. K P Shreeshan presided over the function. Dr Parvathi Aithal introduced the chief guests. Writer Kota Shivananda Karanth read out the citation. K K Raman conducted the programme. Dr H S Malli proposed vote of thanks. The programme came to an end with a variety entertainment programme, presented by the students of Alva’s College.

Koteshwar, Oct 2:  The sand sculpture of Goddess Durge designed by the Vakwadi Gurukula School Teacher Harish Saga & Purushotham near Vakwadi sea shore.

The art is been done on the occasion of the Navarathri celebrations which is attracting the people of surrounding places.

Kundapur, Oct 2: Print media has to win the confidence of readers. It is the bounden duty of every professional reporter to keep up the honour and confidence bestowed upon him/her by the readers, said Koudley Chennappa, president, the Newspaper Editors’, New Delhi.

He was speaking on the occasion of presentation of ‘Ko Ma Karanth’ Award recently at Rotary Laxminarasimha Kalamandir here. The programme was organized as part of annual celebrations of Kundaprabha weekly.

MLA Haladi Shrinivas Shetty was the chief guest. He also spoke on the occasion. Byndoor MLA K Laxminarayana presided over the function. Speaking on the occasion, Sudheendra Kumar, working president of Karnataka Journalists’ Association The working president, said that the newspapers should be more proactive in creating awareness among the people to get rid of various social evils which have plagued the growth of the society. 

Suresh S Poojary, leading industrialist was conferred Ko Ma Karanth Award. The award has jointly been instituted by Kundaprabha Friends and Kundaprabha weekly.

Santhoshi S Poojary was also present on the occasion. U S Shenoy welcomed the guests. Ko Ma Shivananda Karanth, freelance journalist read out the roll of honour.

Retired teacher Bhasker Hebbar introduced the chief guest. Kodi Ramanada Kamath compered the programme. Padubidri Jayavantha Pai proposed vote of thanks.