Koti-Chennaya Jodukare Kambala attracts thousands

• Kambala without the stick

Moodbidri: Jodukare Kambala committee held the 16th annual Koti Chennaya Jodukare Kambala at Veerarani Abbakka Samskriti gram on Saturday, December 1.

The Kambala was inaugrated after offering prayers to the lake by Alangar Badagu Mahalingeshwar temple managing trustee Vedamurthi Ishwar Bhat, Alangaru church parish priest Fr Walter D’ Souza and Puthige Noorani mosque priest Maulana Zheyalla.

The programme was presided by Choutara Aramane Kuldeep M. Navin Amburi compered the programme. Pakshikere church priest Fr Melwyn Noronha, Jain Basadi trustee Dinesh Kumar Anand, Venkataramana Hanumanta temple managing trustee G Umesh Pai, Rotary club president Dr Ramesh, Lions club president Dr Nithyananda Shetty, Tribhuvan Jaycees president Sangeetha Prabhu, Rotaract club president Pavan Bhat, Rotary club mid-town president Pravin Jain, Rotary club temple town president Vincent D’ Costa, district Kambala committee treasurer Suresh K Poojary, treasurer Bhasker S Kotian, chief secretary K Gunapal Kadamba and office bearers were present. Chouta Rani who fought against Portuguese and Veera Rani Abbakka is remembered in the Kambala. Special importance was given to Tulu language in the programme. Most of the writings on the dais were in Tulu.

Speaking at the programme, D V Sadananda Gowda said, “According to me we should not beat the bulls’ during Kabala race. Those animal activists should also show their concern to street dogs. Here in Kambala we do not defy court order. We are preserving our tradition. PETA instead of talking about bulls, also take care of street dogs.”

“When I was the chief minister and became union minister I have supported the cause of saving Kambala. In future too I will support it,” he added.

Rs 5 crore: Ivan

Speaking at the programme, MLC Ivan D’Souza said that during the last budget, I had requested the government to reserve Rs 5 crore for the development Kambala and the chief minister had responded favourably. He also reminded that the he had requested the government to provide Krida Ratna award and Rajyotsava award to the achievers in the Kambala sport.

Kambala without the stick

In accordance to the Supreme Court’s order, Koti-Chennaya Kambala was successfully held with no use of stick and 146 pairs of buffaloes took part in the competition. The occasion attracted thousands and as the night approached, an increase in vehicle density was observed at Vontikatte and its surroundings.