Kundapur, Jan 18: Of late, Karnataka state has been witnessing an assault on democracy and this was reflected in the incident which led to the handcuffing of the editor of a popular Kannada daily recently, said Edwin Crasta, former chairman, Kundapur Town Municipality.

Addressing a mammoth gathering sponsored by like-minded progressive leaders of the town, Crasta pointed out the high-handed policy of the ruling BJP. 

H Narasimha, communist leader, also spoke and said that the BJP was bent on dividing society in the name of religion and had no qualms about scuttling the freedom of the press. Karnataka was known for its communal harmony and tolerance but the ruling party has brought disrepute to our relatively peaceful state, he said.

Mahabala Voderhobli was present on the dais. It was a unique gathering sponsored by all the secular forces in the town.

Kundapur, Jan 15:  Speaking on the occasion of the closing ceremony of the N.S.S Camp held by the students of Bhandarkar’s College at Sowkuru- a remote Village of the talluk, B.M. Sukumara Shetty member of the College Trust Board said that such camps would inspire both the passive and active participants to respect elders and the teachers.  He was the Chief Guest and the Principal Prof. S. Narayana Rao Presided over the function.

Addressing the participants H. Shantha Ram administrative official of the Manipal Academy said in his valedictory speech such national camps should help the students to become worthy citizens of the country.

Rajeev Shetty Bijri, D. Shaker Shetty, Anantharam Shetty the Trustees of the Sowkuru Temple and Buddamma Shedthy, Chairperson Karkunje Gram Panchayath were on the Dias.

Praveena, N.S.S official welcomed the gathering. Madhura, Sandesha and  Sulochana shared their experience in the camp.

Anaadarama Shetty spoke on behalf of the villagers and expressed his appreciation of the camp. Susheela Shetty another N.S.S official readout the list of prize winners of the camp.  Naveena Kumara Shetty of N.S.S. official of  were present.

Prof. Mumbaru Channa Poojary gave the vote of thanks.

Kemmannu, Jan 15:  The 27th Wilson Olivera Nite presented by Wilson Olivera and troupe at Kemmannu St Teresa Little Flower church on the night of Wednesday January 14 succeeded in keeping the audience hooked with the perfect rendition of old and new Konkani songs alike by Olivera and his troupe members.

The programme started at 6.30 pm. Members of Indian Catholic Youth Movement and  YCS peformed a socially relevant Konkani play titled 'Parivartan' in the beginning. The play succeeded in sending across its message, helped through some powerful performances.

The much-expected wilson Olivera Nite unfolded before the audience thereafter. The people present savoured every bit of the on-stage action, as the members of the troupe presented before them songs one after another, both old and new, traditional and others.  The performance was interspersed with jokes by the famous Memory Group from Mangalore. Ocean Kids Mangalore then showcased their talent through brilliant dance performance, marked by apt costumes and perfect body movements.

Ronald Olivera presented the programme. Lucky games for the public were also organized on the occasion.

Fr J B D'Souza, parish priest of the church, was felicitated on the occasion, by offering bouquet. Felix Pinto, church vice president, Thomas D Souza, secretary, James D'Souza, Charles Louis, Hubert Lewis and Titus Lewis too were honoured by feast sponsorer Edwin Lewis, who presented bouquets to the dignitaries.

Senior members of the family of Edwin Lewis were also felicitated on the occasion by Edwin. Vinay Lewis, who won the 'Gulf Voice of Mangalore' singing contest recently, too was honoured.

Dina Pereira, Rony D'Cunha, Wilson Olivera, Harriet  Braganza and Sherlin talented singers, were also felicitated.

Music was composed by Roshan D'Souza.

Kundapur, Jan 10:  “If a man is educated it is for his self where as if a woman is educated it is for the whole family. So A woman is the real source of strength. The entire social structure could be transformed for the better if women were properly organized and suitably directed towards the holistic development of society” -  Inaugurating the Women’s Wing of Kundapur Devadiga Community in the Hariprasad Auditorium here Sharada Bijooru, Member Udupi District Panchayath said.  

Also she said if women wanted their children to be educated they should be in the first place a model for the latter. A woman without education would never inspire her child to educate itself.

Rekha Bannadi of Bhandarkar’s College graced the occasion as Chief Guest who also gave the keynote address. Among the other guests present on the occasion were Raju Devadiga , President Taluka Panchayath, Dinesh Devadiga, President Kundapur Devadiga Welfare Society,  K. Dattatreya Devadiga Honorary President, Kalpana Devadiga Manager, Mangala Society Kundapur Branch and Girija Babu Rao, Honorary President, Women’s wing.

Gowry Shivananda President, Women’s Wing welcomed the guests. Anitha Ashoka monitored the program. Ambika, Secretary of Women’s wing gave the vote of thanks.

Udupi, Jan 14: On the occasion of ‘Makara Sankramana’ every year, Sri Krishna Math wears a festive look. On this occasion, car festival of the Math is held.  The seven day celebrations, named 'Saptotsava' conclude on the next day of the car festival. 'Choornotsava' and 'Avabhrutotsava' are held the next day.

On the night of Tuesday January 13, three towering chariots in which the 'Utsav Moortis' of Lord Sri Krishna, Anantheshwara and Chandramouleeshwara were seated were pulled by the devotees at around 8 pm.  Lord Anantheshwara was seated on the 'Mahapooja' chariot, Lord Chandramouleeshwara on the 'Garuda' chariot while Lord Krishna was taken around in the 'Brahma' chariot. The festival was held under the guidance of the current Paryana Swamiji Sri Sugunendrateerta of Puttige Math.

'Makara Sankranti' as per the Hindu customs, is the beginning of the auspicious period of 'Uttarayana', the day on which the sun begins his northward movement. The occasion is considered to be special and holy and devotees throng the temples to offer pujas to the Lord. In Tamilnadu, the occasion is known as 'Pongal'.  While 'Makara Vilakku' at Shabarimala is being observed today, this year the car festival of Udupi was held a day earlier, based on astrological calculations.  The 'Saptotsava' in Udupi is being performed in memory of the consecration of the idol of Lord Sri Krishna here by Madhwacharya. An attractive show of crackers was held after the chariots were pulled.

On Wednesday morning, Chornotsava was celebrated. Pejawar Math Swamiji Vishweshateerta, Shirur Math Swamiji Lalxmivarateerta, Bheemanakatte Swamiji Raghumanyateerta and the Paryaya Swamiji Sugunendrateerta offered Puja to Lord Krishna seated on the Brahma Rath. The Swamijis then proceeded to Madhwa Sarovar for the Avabrhuthotsav.

Thousands of people gathered to have a glimpse of the glittering chariots that majestically moved about the car street and also to pay obeisance to the deities by circumambulating the chariots. They also visited temples on Wednesday and took part enthusiastically in the Choornotsava and Ababhrutotsava and had Darshan of the deities.  In spite of the tightened security measures put in place at Sri Krishna Math following terrorist threats, there was no let up in the enthusiasm of the people who came from the local town as well as near and far away places from within and outside the district.

A grand community feast has also been arranged today at Udupi Sri Krishna Math on the conclusion of Saptotsava.