Mangalore : District in-charge minister B. Ramanath Rai said that the people of Dakshina Kannada district must learn to follow the culture of communal harmony which is widely practices in Kerala through the celebration of Onam.

He was speaking at the Onam festival organized by Kerala Samajam on September 14, Sunday. Rai said that, the festival of Onam stands as the symbol of communal harmony in Kerala where the people celebrate this festival irrespective of religion, caste and creed at the place they reside.

There are many similarities in the customs followed by people of Dakshina Kannada and Kerala including the food. But, DK lacks communal harmony hence the people must follow the principles and learn values from them.

Rai said that Kerala state has established Kala Mandali to popularize Kathakali but Karnataka government has failed to popularize Yakshagana at large. Further the state government must establish a separate academy for Yakshagana to showcase its enriched culture.

State minister D.K. Shivkumar said that the contribution of Kerala in the field of foreign exchange is tremendous and its rich tradition is our country’s asset.

Sports Minister Abhayachandra Jain, Urban Development Minister Vinaykumar Sorake, State Health and Family Welfare Minister U.T Kadher, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, Mangalore South MLA J.R Lobo, Mohiudeen Bawa, A.J. Shetty, Gokulam Gopalan, Kerala Samajam president T.K Rajan, were present on the dais.

Onam’s traditional Pookalam and classical dance was part of the event.