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Mangaluru: D Veerendra Heggade Padma Vibhushan Abhinandana Samiti organised a grand civic reception to felicitate Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari D Veerendra Heggade who was bestowed with Padma Vibhushan award, at Alva’s Palace Ground in Moodbidri on Sunday.
He along with other dignitaries were brought in a procession to the venue. The colourful procession comprised huge dolls, Shankha by Srinivas Poonjalkatte, Kombu and Chende from Moodbidri, colourful umbrellas, Aati Kalanja by Karunakar Guthigar Sullia, Koragara Dolu, Pooja Kunitha by Devaraj Mandya, Mysore police band, Theyyam, Chitradurga band set, Nagari by Manju Mandya, colourful Kalladka dolls, Puruliya, Chende from Kerala, Gumte Kunitha, Dollu Kunitha, police band from Mangaluru, Tulunada Vadya by Prasad Mijar, saxophone and Kathakali.
Veerendra Heggade was taken out in a procession in a vintage vehicle which was donated to Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala by the Mysore rulers in 1947.
Speaking on the occasion, former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy appealed to the Heggade to chalk out a drinking water project, in association with the Government, to help all citizens of the State.
Through SKDRDP, the pure drinking water project has been initiated in several districts. The Self Help groups initiated by him has helped in empowering women.
Former union minister Veerappa Moily said that Veerendra Heggade has concern for society and has carved a niche in all spheres of life through welfare programmes of the SKDRDP.
MPs Nalin Kumar Kateel, Shobha Karandlaje, Pejawar seer Vishwesha Theertha Swamiji, Moodbidri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji, Alva’s Education Foundation Chairman Dr M Mohan Alva, Nitte University Chancellor N Vinay Hegde, Minister for Youth Empowerment and Sports Abhayachandra Jain, former union minister Janardhan Poojary, Yenepoya University Chancellor Yenepoya Abdulla Kunhi and others were present.
Earlier, SCDCC Bank president M N Rajendra Kumar welcomed the gathering.
To encourage people from every nook and corner of the district to attend the programme, a pick-up facility was arranged from various parts of Mangaluru taluk.
Bus services from Mulki, Kinnigoli, Mukka-Surathkal-Bykampadi, Kavoor-Bajpe, Kaikamba, Vamanjoor- Gurupura, Nirumarga- Padau, Kadri- Urwa, Ullal-Thokkottu- Pandeshwar, Someshwar, Konaje, Uppala, Talapady and nearby areas were arranged and helped the people to visit and witness the grand reception.
A total of 60,000 chairs were placed to accommodate the people at the ground covering 12 acres. The beautifully designed stage was 200-ft long and 36-ft wide.
