‘Namma Dasara Namma Surakshe’: Dr Arathi Krishna inaugurates Mangaluru Dasara

Mangaluru: This year’s Mangaluru Dasara, which is being celebrated with ‘Namma Dasara Namma Surakshe’ slogan was inaugurated by former vice president of NRI forum, Dr Arathi Krishna on Saturday, October 17.

The program commenced with Guruprarthane and followed by Kalasha Prathiste. After the formal inauguration of the Dasara festival, Navadurga and Sharada Prathiste and Pushpalankara Mahapooja was held.

Bhajan program will start at 7 pm and later from 9 pm, Devi Pushpalankara pooja will be held.

The Mangaluru Dasara will be held from today onwards in a simple manner as per the guidelines issued by the district administration.

Former Union Minister Janardhana Poojary, the man behind the development of the Kudroli temple, finalized the name of Dr Arathi Krishna in recognition of her relentless efforts to repatriate stranded NRIs from various countries during the Covid pandemic.

Dr Arathi Krishna is a native of Chikkamagaluru district but was born in Udupi. Her father Begane Ramaiah was an advocate by profession and had also served as the MLA of Shringeri.

In the last six months, Dr Arathi Krishna was instrumental in bringing more than 40,000 NRIs from Middle East and other parts of the world. Using her contacts and influence, she resolved issues of several NRIs who approach her in difficult times. She strived hard to provide permission from the embassy to the NRI companies to bring the NRIs in chartered flights.

Dr Arathi Krishna has been honored with Rajyotsava award, honourary doctorate of Kuvempu university, honorary award of Sahyadri Sangha, Mahatma Gandhi Sammana award in Bangkok, Dubai Kannada Kayaka Ratna and Indian community award from the governor of Maryland State of USA.

People have also bestowed the title ‘Malnaada Indira’ (Indira of Malnad) upon her for contribution to the Indians living in India and abroad.