KODAVA CULTURAL MELA KICK STARTS;

Mega Kodava cultural mela organized by state Kodava Academy and Murnad Kodava samaj was inaugurated today at Murnad.

Founder president of Murnad Kodava Samaj, Palanganda Muthappa hoisted the flag to mark the inauguration. Vice president of Kodava samaj Bangalore, Berera Shambu Aiyanna inaugurated the cultural programme.

MLA K.G.Bopaiah spoke on the occasion and advised the Kodavas that people should be aware of the political developments around them. You should show concern and should bear responsibility to build a healthy society, he said.

He also informed that Kodagu would be losing one constituency in the restructure move. He regretted that Kodagu will have one MLA less and problems will multiply.

Akila Kodava samaj president Mathanda Monnappa, Kodava Hockey Academy chairman Pandanda Kuttappa, HQA Tulasi Belliappa was present as chief guests.

Academy chairperson Dotty Poovaiah presided over the function.

The two-day Mela will have cultural feast, exhibition of books, food and articrafts.

A cultural procession will be taken out in the main streets of Murnad tomorrow.

KODAGU IN FORE FRONT IN LEPROSY ERADICATION;

Kodagu is in fore front in the country in eradicating Leprosy, said Chief Executive Officer of Zilla Panchyath, Sundar Naik.

Presiding over the leprosy eradication day function yesterday at kaveri Kalakshetra here, he said that only 7 cases of Leprsy exist in Kodagu today, which is the least in the country.

Inaugurating the programme, principal of FMKMC college, Pushpa Kuttanna said that involving students in bringing awareness about the disease is important and beneficial.

District surgeon Dr.Palekar spoke on the occasion and informed that medicines would be distributed free of cost to the patients. Recalling the mission of Mahatma Gandhi in eradicating the dreaded feeling people had towards these patients, he called upon the people not to neglect or look down upon them.

Earlier a procession was taken out in the town to spread awareness.