A massive cultural event must be organised to show the goons who attacked the young people at a house at Padil here last week that Mangaloreans are united against them, said Yathish Baikampady, Chief Executive Officer, Panambur Beach Tourism Development Corporation, here on Sunday.
He was speaking at an event “Arise Mangalore” organised by the citizens of Mangalore on “what next to do” in protest against the July 28 attack. It was an apolitical, non-religious gathering.
“Let us have a major cultural show, not to divert attention but to show our strength. Let us send a clear message... say we are together. You want 50 goondas or entire Mangalore? If they are not able to control (such incidents), we will control it,” he said. Walter D’Souza, chairman, southern region, Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), said the trend must be nipped in the bud and the victims’ families must be supported now. Unfortunately, some women leaders had indirectly supported the attack, he said.
N. Vinaya Hegde, Chancellor, Nitte University, told young people that they should show courage to tell the goons what they think of them. The event was nothing to do with religion, he said.
Naren K., Mangalore-based IT entrepreneur, said successful sectors such as IT, rural BPOs, education, and healthcare in the city should be showcased despite incidents such as the one in Padil.
For Mangalore’s economy to prosper, its people must act together. “Small entrepreneurs in tier 2 cities (such as Mangalore) do well and they must be showcased. We should not let the window of opportunity go. The window is very much open,” he said.
Lata R. Kini, former president, Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said, “There is such hope and potential (in the city). Are we throwing it out for nothing?”
Derek Lobo, formerly with the WHO, said the goons must be identified, arrested and taken to task and Mangalore had to rise against them.
Medha Alexander, a student of Kasturba Medical College (KMC), said there was no end to religious fanaticism. “Will I be beaten if I walk with classmates of different communities? Where is the border of the religious fanaticism?,” she said.
