Mangaluru, Sep 6: The Silver Jubilee celebrations of the Jaya Sri Krishna Parisara Premi Samiti (Regd.), an organisation committed to social causes and the overall development of the coastal region, were inaugurated in grand style at Town Hall, Mangaluru, on 6th September 2026.

Speaking after inaugurating the programme by lighting the ceremonial lamp, Karnataka Minister for Energy and Tourism K. J. George praised the organisation for its social commitment and described it as a model for others. He congratulated the Samiti on completing 25 years of service and said that it had created a distinct identity for itself in the coastal region.

“During the last three years, there has been officially declared power shutdown in the coastal districts for only about a month. Power disruptions at other times may have been due to various unofficial reasons. We are making every effort to ensure that the districts do not face power shortages. The comprehensive development of the coastal region is possible when everyone joins hands with organisations working towards this goal,” he said.

The minister also recalled the contributions of Srinivas Mallya and George Fernandes to the coastal region. He expressed confidence that the coastal districts would witness faster development if more such committed individuals came forward.

Minister George further said that he and Health Minister U. T. Khader would bring the development proposals put forward by the Jaya Sri Krishna Parisara Premi Samiti to the attention of the Chief Minister and expressed hope that the government would respond positively.

He stressed the need to make the younger generation aware of the objectives behind the Samiti’s initiatives and struggles. “Only then can large companies be established without obstacles, creating employment opportunities for young people and contributing to the development of the region. A single development project can benefit the entire community,” he said.

Khader assured that, with the cooperation of the people, he would support the Samiti’s development initiatives through Minister K. J. George. He also called upon the media to give greater importance to positive reporting.

“If 10 per cent negative news is given prominence, it can undermine the remaining 90 per cent of positive work,” he said. He appreciated the efforts of the team led by Tonse Jayakrishna A. Shetty, which, he said, was working with a vision to build a better coastal region in the future.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Ronald Colaco, NRI Distinguished Fellow of the Institute of Directors (India–Global), said the coastal districts already possessed the necessary infrastructure and facilities for development and that the focus should now be on accelerating progress. “Politics should be set aside and attention must be focused on development. The government should constitute a task force comprising experts. If development becomes the priority, progress is certainly possible. I too will extend my support and encouragement towards this cause,” he said.

Founder of the Jaya Sri Krishna Parisara Premi Samiti, Tonse Jayakrishna A. Shetty, said that communalism must first be eliminated from the coastal region, which possesses all the facilities necessary for comprehensive development. He appealed to the general public to cooperate with the government in achieving this objective.

He also called for a permanent solution to coastal erosion along the lines of the protection measures adopted at Mumbai’s Marine Drive. He urged the ministers to ensure that the coastal region never faces load shedding and receives uninterrupted 24-hour power supply.
Samiti President Nithyananda D. Kotian, in his presidential address, highlighted the need for accelerated development of the district.

Among those present on the dais were Mangaluru MP Captain Brijesh Chowta, Karnataka Legislative Council Member Ivan D’Souza, MLA Vedavyas Kamath, Coastal Development Board Working President M. A. Gafoor, Buntara Sangha Mumbai President Praveen Bhoja Shetty, Vishwa Devadiga Mahamandala President Dharmapal U. Devadiga, Dubai-based industrialist Dr. David Frank Fernandes, Samiti State Convenor K. P. Jagadish Adhikari, Fundraising Committee Working President Dr. R. K. Shetty, and Honorary Treasurer Sadananda N. Acharya.

District Working President Harish Kumar M. Shetty welcomed the gathering. Samiti spokesperson Dayasagara Chouta compered the programme, while Honorary General Secretary Mundkur Surendra Salyan proposed the vote of thanks. Anushree H. Shetty rendered the prayer.

As part of the entertainment programme, Natya Ranga, Puttur, presented Natyalahari, featuring a team led by Bharatanatyam artiste Manjula Subrahmanyam.
The programme was supported by Samiti office-bearers and members including Dhananjaya Shetty, CA I. R. Shetty, Vivek Rai, Virar Shankar Shetty, Justice R. M. Bhandari, Girish Salyan, Tonse Ashok Shetty, Wilson Fernandes, Manjunath Hegde, Arun Prakash Shetty, Sundar Acharya Beluvai, Chitrapu K. M. Kotyan, Dr. Bola Prabhakar Shetty, Chandrashekar R. Belchad, Rakesh Bhandari, Mahesh Karkala, Tulsidas Amin, C. S. Ganesh Shetty, Justice Santosh Kumar Hegde, Hiriyadka Mohandas, Felix D’Souza, Ravi Devadiga, Devadas Kulal, G. T. Acharya, Surendra Mendon, and Treasurer Prabhakar Bangera Karkala, among others.

Courtesy: https://www.bellevision.com/index.php?action=topnews_print&type=28876