Moodubidri : Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari D. Veerendra Heggade on Tuesday inaugurated the five-day 30th edition of Alva’s Virasat at Vidyagiri  Moodubidri .

He said the virasat, with a variety of cultural programmes and exhibitions, broadens one’s outlook to the Global level and fills everyone’s hearts.

Virasat is a proud event of undivided Dakshina Kannada, combining culture and literature. When the cultural treasure increases, minds bloom, he said, adding that foundation chairman M. Mohan Alva has been doling out happiness to all.

Having watched the krishi mela organised as a part of the virasat, Mr. Heggade exhorted everyone to engage in farming, at least on a small scale. Love the earth, nature, and farming thereby becoming closer to nature, he said, adding Dr. Alva wants everyone to become a farmer.

Stating that one should know one’s culture and respect it, Mr. Heggade said the young could broaden their outlook through the culture. The concept of virasat has something for everyone and every rupee spent on organising the event was worth for it, he said.

In his introductory address, Dr. Mohan Alva said the virasat that began with about 500 people 29 years ago at the Moodbidri Samaja Mandira, has grown to attract 50,000 people over the years. Mr. Heggade had once wished the festival become a national and International event and his blessings have made that happen, he remarked.

The foundation, Dr. Alva said, has always been working to empower the youth, who constitute about 30% of India’s population, through various academic, cultural and sports activities. All 49 university athletics records of Mangalore University were held by Alva’s students, he said, adding five sportspersons who took part in the recent Olympics were from his institutions. About 400 students of the Alva’s Samskrutika Vaibhava team render performances across the country on different occasions. The virasat was comprehensively planned to elevate the experiences of panchendriyas (five organs) of a person, he said.

Puttur division of India Post released a special postal cover to mark the 30th Virasat on the occasion.

A variety of cultural performances followed the inauguration. The virasat will be on till December 15 with cultural programmes from 5.45 p.m. every day, except December 15.

Hospitality entrepreneur K. Prakash Shetty, Deputy Commissioner M.P. Mullai Muhilan, Mangaluru Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal, Bharat Scouts and Guides State Chief Commissioner P.G.R. Sindhia and others were present.