Udupi: District In-charge Minister and Food and Civil Supplies Minister Rizwan Arshad hoisted the national flag at the 80th Independence Day celebrations organised by the Udupi District Administration at the Ajjarkadu Mahatma Gandhi District Stadium on Saturday.
Speaking after the flag-hoisting ceremony, Arshad announced an initiative to put discarded temple flowers to productive use by converting them into value-added products.
Temple flowers to be recycled
The district administration, in collaboration with the V-Care Society, will undertake a project to collect flowers used daily in temples and convert them into various products instead of allowing them to be discarded indiscriminately.
The initiative will include the production of eco-friendly incense sticks and bamboo-free incense sticks from the flowers.
The project is aimed at addressing waste generated from temples while promoting environmentally sustainable practices. Temple flowers are commonly discarded after religious rituals, and their improper disposal can contribute to waste accumulation.
By processing the flowers into useful products, the initiative seeks to combine waste management with livelihood and value-addition opportunities.
The project is also expected to promote greater awareness about responsible disposal and recycling of organic material generated at religious institutions.
Tourism mascot unveiled
During the Independence Day programme, the minister also unveiled a mascot aimed at promoting Udupi as a tourism destination.
The mascot is intended to support efforts to showcase the district’s tourism potential and create a recognisable identity for promotional activities.
Udupi attracts visitors through its temples, beaches, coastal landscape, cultural traditions and cuisine. The introduction of a dedicated tourism mascot is expected to add a creative element to the district’s promotional initiatives.
Arshad also released ‘Udupi Sugandha’ during the programme.
The initiative forms part of the district’s efforts to highlight local products and strengthen its identity through value-added and tourism-related activities.
Minister receives guard of honour
Earlier, Arshad received the guard of honour during a ceremonial procession at the Ajjarkadu stadium.
The Independence Day celebrations brought together elected representatives, senior district officials, public representatives and students.
Following the main ceremony, the minister felicitated achievers from different fields who have brought recognition to Udupi district through their accomplishments.
The felicitation programme honoured individuals who have made notable contributions in their respective fields and provided an opportunity to recognise local talent and achievement.
Students present cultural programmes
The celebrations concluded with a series of cultural programmes performed by students from schools in and around Udupi.
The performances showcased the cultural diversity and traditions of the region as part of the Independence Day celebrations.
Students participated in various presentations, adding a cultural dimension to the official programme and marking the occasion through music, dance and other performances.
Dignitaries attend programme
The Independence Day programme was presided over by Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna.
Manjunath Bhandari, M.A. Gafoor, Ashok Kumar Kodavoor and Dinakar Heroor were among those present.
Deputy Commissioner Swaroop T.K., District Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar and Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Prateek Bayal also attended the programme along with other dignitaries.
The presence of senior administrative and elected representatives underlined the significance of the district-level Independence Day celebrations.
Focus on environment and tourism
The announcements made during the programme combined environmental sustainability with tourism promotion.
The temple flower recycling project seeks to address an everyday waste-management issue by creating useful products from discarded flowers. The proposed incense products could provide an alternative to conventional materials while giving value to otherwise discarded organic waste.
At the same time, the tourism mascot and the release of ‘Udupi Sugandha’ are aimed at strengthening the district’s identity and promoting its attractions and products.
The initiatives announced during the Independence Day celebrations reflect an effort to link environmental management, local enterprise and tourism development with the district’s broader development agenda.