Mangaluru: “Overall development can be brought if a community gets united. Opportunity given by the government to celebrate ‘Vishwakarma Jayanti’ shows the self-respect of the community,” said district in-charge Minister Ramanath Rai.

He was speaking after inaugurating the first even government sponsored Vishwakarma Jayanti organised by district administration, ZP and Kannada and culture department at Mangaluru Town Hall on Saturday.

“Vishwakarma community people are known for minute workings. They worked as sculptors, artists, painters and other such works which requires patience. Our society identified the communities based on the occupation,” he said.

He further said that the government has provided self-esteem to the Vishwakarma society by including them into backward class category. This has provided them a opportunity to develop in all the sectors.

MLA J R Lobo, Chief Whip Ivan D’Souza, ZP President Meenakshi Shantigodu, Mayor Harinath, TP President Muhammad Monu and others were present.