Mangaluru: The 10-day Karavali Utsav programme being organised in three different venues witnessed several problems after its inauguration, specifically on Tuesday.
As there was a power outage during the cultural programme on Tuesday, December 25, the power backup was also not in place. The artists ended up performing using headlights of motorcycles.
During a musical programme at Kadri Park, another venue of Karavali Utsav, the problem with the sound system stalled the event for about half and hour. Though Karavali Utsav started with a grand procession from Nehru Maidan to Karavali Utsav grounds on December 21, it has received several criticisms this year. The inauguration itself saw a protest as activist Vidya Dinakar and her supporters demanded ‘stopping the extension of MRPL and rescue coastal region’. The protesters questioned the need of organising Karavali Utsav programme.
The event has become a lack luster of late. Usually, an attractive entrance is put up to welcome the visitors at the Karavali Utsav exhibition ground, but, this year there is no such entrance. The cultural programmes being organised as part of the Karavali Utsav too are facing problems making many feel that the district administration lacks interest in organising the signature event of the coast.
When presspersons questioned Dakshina Kannada district in-charge Minister U T Khader about poor arrangements, he said that he had already discussed with the Deputy Commissioner of the district in this regard and all necessary measures will be taken in the remaining days of Karavali Utsav.
