Mangaluru: Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and ministers attending the State Cabinet meeting in Mangaluru received a grand public welcome as they travelled through the city in a special open-top Ambaari bus on Thursday.
The procession, organised ahead of the Cabinet meeting, saw Congress workers and members of the public gathering along the route to greet the Chief Minister and ministers. Traditional cultural performances from coastal Karnataka added colour to the welcome programme.
Before proceeding to the Circuit House, Shivakumar and the ministers offered prayers at the historic Kadri Manjunatha Temple. Following the temple visit, they travelled to the Circuit House in an Airavata Club Class bus.
Later, the Chief Minister and ministers boarded the special Ambaari bus at Pumpwell Circle and proceeded in a procession towards Praja Soudha at Padil, where the Cabinet meeting was scheduled to be held.
Chief Minister, ministers travel through city
The special bus journey from Pumpwell gave the public an opportunity to see the Chief Minister and Cabinet members as they travelled towards Padil.
Despite the scorching heat, Shivakumar appeared enthusiastic during the procession and waved to people gathered on both sides of the route.
Ministers Priyank Kharge and Rizwan Arshad were seen conversing with each other and occasionally waving to members of the public. Ministers including Shivraj Thangadagi and Rudrappa Lamani wore white hats to protect themselves from the strong sun during the journey.
The open-top Ambaari bus became the centre of attraction as it moved through the city, with crowds gathering at various points along the route.
Congress workers gather along route
Congress workers and members of the public gathered in significant numbers along the procession route.
Supporters raised slogans in support of Shivakumar and the ministers as the bus passed through the city. The welcome was organised in connection with the Cabinet’s visit to Mangaluru for the special meeting.
The procession from Mahaveer Circle at Pumpwell to Praja Soudha at Padil provided a public-facing start to the Cabinet’s programme in the city.
The Cabinet meeting marked a significant occasion for Mangaluru as the state government convened its meeting in the coastal city.
Coastal cultural performances add colour
Traditional art and cultural performances formed an important part of the welcome programme.
Chende performers entertained the crowds at different points along the route, while Hulivesha troupes added a distinctive coastal Karnataka flavour to the celebrations.
Garudi Gombe groups and Koraga flute performers also participated in the programme. Band troupes welcomed the Chief Minister and ministers at various locations as the procession moved towards Padil.
The performances showcased some of the traditional art forms associated with the coastal region and offered the visiting ministers a glimpse of the cultural traditions of Mangaluru and Tulu Nadu.
Music and bhajans organised
Music programmes and bhajans were also organised at several locations along the procession route.
The programmes were part of the broader welcome arrangements made for the Cabinet members. People gathered at different points to watch the procession and participate in the celebrations.
The combination of traditional performances, music and public participation created a festive atmosphere across sections of the route.
The cultural elements were particularly significant as the Cabinet meeting brought the state’s political and administrative leadership to the coastal region.
Cabinet meeting in Mangaluru
The procession preceded the State Cabinet meeting at Praja Soudha in Padil.
The government had scheduled the meeting in Mangaluru as part of its focus on issues and development priorities concerning the coastal districts. Several demands relating to infrastructure, fisheries, industry, culture and regional development had been raised ahead of the meeting.
The Chief Minister’s visit also included the earlier prayer ceremony at Kadri Manjunatha Temple before the ministers proceeded towards the Circuit House and later joined the procession from Pumpwell.
The public welcome and cultural programme therefore formed part of a larger schedule surrounding the Cabinet’s presence in the city.
A blend of politics and coastal culture
The procession combined a public reception for the Chief Minister and ministers with a display of coastal Karnataka’s cultural heritage.
From the traditional Chende performances and Hulivesha troupes to Garudi Gombe and Koraga flute artists, several local traditions were brought into the public programme.
The participation of Congress workers and members of the public, meanwhile, gave the procession a political dimension as supporters raised slogans and welcomed the Cabinet members.
The journey through Mangaluru also allowed the ministers to interact informally with people gathered along the route, with several ministers waving to the crowds during the bus ride.
Conclusion
The special Ambaari bus procession through Mangaluru provided a colourful welcome for Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and ministers ahead of the State Cabinet meeting at Praja Soudha. The programme combined public participation with traditional performances, music and cultural displays, reflecting the distinctive character of coastal Karnataka.