Honnavar,: Belaku Gramabhivruddhi Trust President Nagaraj Naik has welcomed the decision to organise cultural festival on the banks of Sharavathi river and felicitate eminent persons.

Inaugurating ‘Tonka festival’ organised by Shri Jain Jatakeshwar Yuva Sangha and Tonka Kasarakoda, in Honnvar, recently on the occasion of Makara Sankranti, he observed that legend has it Sharavathi river was created by Lord Ram with his arrow. Several famous artistes and writers had taken birth in areas surrounding the river.

“It is heartening to see that women, who had fought against social evil of consumption of liquor, and other eminent persons are being felicitated at the programme on Army Day. Fishermen should unite, and fight against social evils, and become part of the mainstream,” he advised.

Banker G G Shankar presided over, and Suryakant Saranga, Vinayak Achari, and Hanumath Tandela spoke on the occasion.

Women who had protested against consumption of liquor, other achievers, and students were felicitated at the programme. Children presented several cultural programmes.