Mangaluru : Karavali Utsav was inaugurated by actor and director Rishab Shetty here at Karavali Utsav ground on Friday, January 10.

The annual fiesta of the district has a series of programmes scheduled, and will be held at three venues namely Karavali Utsav ground, Kadri Park and Panambur Beach.

Addressing the gathering, Rishab Shetty said, “It is my privilege to take part in Karavali Utsav. I am closely associated to the coastal region. Today is also a special day for me as my directorial film ‘Sarakari Hiriya Prathamika Shaale Kasargod’ has bagged a state award. The movie dealt with problems faced by Kannada schools. Other languages is for communication and we should not forget our mother tongue because it is connected to the culture of where we belong from. I am very much satisfied to take part in this programme here.”

District in-charge minister Kota Srinivas Poojary said, “Karavali Utsav, which will run for the next few days, will be wonderful occasion for people. Also, there will be an exhibition for a month and international kite festival at Panambur where eight countries will take part.”

On January 11, a district-level sports meet will be held. A football tournament for high school boys at Nehru Maidan, volleyball tournament for degree college boys and girls and a throw ball tournament for high school girls at Mangala Stadium, wrestling competition for high school boys and girls at U Srinivas Mallya Indoor Stadium and a basketball tournament for men and women at Mangala Stadium’s basketball court are the sports events scheduled.

A three-day kite festival will be held at Panambur Beach from January 17 to 19 and is the main highlight of the Utsav. Kite enthusiasts from Philippines, Scotland, Turkey, Thailand, Netherlands, Singapore and other countries have confirmed their participation.

Journalist Manohar Prasad compered the programme.

Deputy commissioner Sindhu B Rupesh, MLA Vedavyasa Kamath, MCC commissioner Ajith Kumar and others were present.