Udupi: Mixed opinions on St. Mary’s Island Festival

By Snehalatha, Udupi
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 07 February 2012: There have been mixed opinions on the 3 day festival conducted in St. Mary’s island, near Malpe. Opposition leaders along with their supporters have opposed it. But the Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda has justified it and has said that these programs may continue in future also. A private firm from Bangalore organized this fun filled festival which was joined by over 2,500 people from the metro cities such as Mumbai, Chennai, and Bangalore and even from foreign countries. The firm provided them food and drinks during this festival and has charged them Rs. 5,000 each.

 

 
 
The district administration has given approval for this celebration, for the sake of developing the tourism in the district. District In Charge Minister has said that from this festival our local culture is exhibited to the outsiders. But the opposition leaders such as JDS President Kumaraswamy and Central Minister M. Veerappa Moily have different opinion on this. They say that St. Mary’s island is an historical tourist spot and needs to be developed in tourist point of view, but that does not mean that we spoil our culture by bringing the foreign culture here.