Udupi: Karnataka Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Rizwan Arshad has been appointed as the Udupi district in-charge minister, taking charge of the district at a time when the administration is preparing for the 80th Independence Day celebrations.
Arshad, 46, is a Shivajinagar MLA from Bengaluru and is serving his first term as a minister in the Karnataka Cabinet. He arrived in Udupi on Friday night ahead of a packed schedule of Independence Day programmes and official events on Saturday.
He is scheduled to hoist the national flag and deliver the Independence Day message at the main celebrations at the Mahatma Gandhi District Stadium, also known as the Ajjarkad stadium.
Arshad’s political journey
A BCom graduate, Arshad entered politics through the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) in 1995-96.
He later served as a senate member of Mysore University and went on to hold several organisational positions in the Congress.
Between 2004 and 2010, he served as the Karnataka Youth Congress vice-president and subsequently as the organisation’s national secretary.
In 2011, Arshad became the first elected president of the Karnataka Youth Congress.
His electoral career began with the 2019 Shivajinagar by-election, when he was elected as the MLA from the constituency. He subsequently continued his political career in the constituency and has now been given responsibility for Udupi district as the in-charge minister.
As district in-charge minister, Arshad will be responsible for coordinating with the district administration and overseeing the implementation of government programmes and development initiatives in Udupi.
Independence Day programme in Udupi
Arshad’s first major public engagement in the district following his appointment coincides with the 80th Independence Day celebrations.
The main flag-hoisting ceremony will be held at the Ajjarkad stadium at 9 am. Arshad will hoist the national flag and deliver the Independence Day address.
Before the main event, he will participate in several programmes organised by the Congress and district administration.
His schedule begins at 7.30 am with a flag-hoisting programme organised by the district Congress Seva Dal near the city service bus stand.
At 8 am, he will hoist the national flag at the district Congress office in Nairkere.
Tribute to freedom fighters
At 8.30 am, Arshad will pay homage to martyrs at the memorial near Ajjarkad stadium.
The tribute will provide an opportunity to remember those who sacrificed their lives during the country’s freedom struggle and honour their contribution to India’s independence.
Immediately afterwards, at 8.35 am, he is scheduled to lay the foundation stone for a basketball court near the stadium.
At 8.45 am, he will inaugurate the roofing work at the Ajjarkad stadium before participating in the main Independence Day celebration at 9 am.
The sequence of events combines the traditional Independence Day ceremony with local sports and infrastructure initiatives.
Youth Congress programme
Following the main Independence Day programme, Arshad will participate in a Youth Congress event at the LIC Leeco Bank auditorium at noon.
The programme will provide an opportunity for the minister to interact with members of the youth wing and discuss the role of young people in public life and the development of the district.
Arshad’s long association with the Youth Congress, including his tenure as the first elected president of the state unit, adds significance to his participation in the programme.
Women’s enterprise initiative
At 12.15 pm, Arshad will inaugurate the Illu Foods masala powder unit of the Udupi Mahila Kisan Producer Company.
The programme has been organised by the Udupi Zilla Panchayat at the Shivalli horticulture farm in Doddanagudde.
The initiative is linked to the promotion of women-led agricultural enterprises and value addition. A masala powder production unit can provide opportunities for local producers to process agricultural products and develop marketable products.
The minister’s participation comes as the state government continues to promote livelihood opportunities and collective enterprises among women and farmers.
Akka Cafe inauguration
At 12.30 pm, Arshad will inaugurate the Akka Cafe, another initiative organised by the Udupi Zilla Panchayat.
The cafe is located near Nairkere Road in Brahmagiri.
Following the inauguration, Arshad is scheduled to leave for Mangaluru.
The packed itinerary reflects the range of responsibilities associated with the district in-charge minister’s role, combining Independence Day celebrations, public infrastructure projects, youth engagement and local livelihood initiatives.
New responsibility in Udupi
Arshad’s appointment as Udupi district in-charge minister comes with responsibility for coordinating the state government’s activities in the district.
The district has a diverse administrative and economic profile, with tourism, agriculture, fisheries, education and healthcare forming important parts of its economy.
As district in-charge minister, Arshad is expected to work closely with elected representatives, district officials and local bodies on development and welfare programmes.
His appointment also gives him a new administrative role beyond his Shivajinagar constituency and ministerial responsibilities in the state government.
The Independence Day programme provides an early opportunity for Arshad to engage with officials, public representatives and residents of Udupi in his new capacity.
His Saturday schedule, beginning with flag-hoisting ceremonies and ending with the inauguration of local development and livelihood initiatives, is expected to mark the start of his engagement with the district as its newly appointed in-charge minister.