Kumta: The 5-day long Kumta Utsav began on a grand note on 1st February, Thursday, which was inaugurated by district In-Charge Minister RV Deshpande here at Mahatma Gandhi stadium in Kumta.

Addressing the gathering, minister Deshpande said, since many years number of cultural events are being organized in this ground and the success of these event is only from the broad mindset of the people of Kumta. Apart from arts, education, and literature, the opportunities and encouragement should be provided for the locals to showcase their talents, he said. He also lauded the Utsav committee for organizing such a grand event.

Chairperson of Coastal Development Authority and Kumta MLA Sharada Shetty, presiding the inaugural ceremony, said, this Cultural festival is organized with the objective to preserve the Tradition and Culture of the region.

Zilla Panchayat president Jayshree Moger inaugurated the amusement park and stalls set in the Utsav campus.

During the ceremony, Yakshagana artist Krishna Vishnu Yaji Olekar, International swimmer Swati Rajeshwar Pai and National level sportsman Viraaj Dayanand Naik were felicitated.

On this occasion, Kumta TMC president Madhusudan Shet, Kumta block Congress president VL Naik, businessman Muralidhar Prabhu, Sai Gaonkar among others were present on the dais.