Mangaluru
A memorandum urging the release of funds for Kambala events in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts was submitted to Tourism Minister HK Patil. Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai and Speaker UT Khader led the submission.
It was stated that Speaker Khader convened a special meeting at Vidhan Soudha in Bengaluru to discuss Kambala. Detailed explanations about the Kambala events in undivided Dakshina Kannada were provided. Kambala, a traditional and folk sport of Tulunadu, is held annually in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts. The government’s support was emphasized as essential due to the significant funds required for these events.
The cultural importance of Kambala to the Tulunadu people and its popularity across Karnataka were highlighted. The event held in Bengaluru demonstrated this statewide interest. The necessity to protect the tradition of Tulunadu and ensure that Kambala continues was stressed. It was noted that the fight to protect Kambala had reached the Supreme Court.
Khader mentioned that no funds had been received from the government in the past for Kambala events in undivided Dakshina Kannada. The need for government support to preserve this folk sport was reiterated.
Rai informed that the Tourism Minister expressed willingness to consider the demand for releasing funds for Kambala. MLC Manjunath Bhandary and Dakshina Kannada and Udupi District Kambala Samiti President Balapu Deviprasad Shetty were also present at the meeting.
