State-level youth festival at Vitla from December 6

More than 1,000 youths are expected to take part in 17 competitions

This year’s State-level ‘Yuvajana Mela’ (youth festival) will be held for three days at Vitla in Dakshina Kannada from December 6.

More than 1,000 youths are expected to participate in it. The winners of divisional level competitions representing youth organisations from across the State would participate in 17 competitions including bhavageethe, gigipada, lavani, kolata, veeragase, dollu kunitha, ranga geethe, folk dance and songs, sobane pada and bhajans.

Arrangements

District in-charge minister B. Ramanath Rai and Minister of State for Youth Empowerment, Sports and Fisheries K. Abhayachandra Jain reviewed the preparations for the mela at a meeting here recently.

Officials told the meeting that about 600 male competitors would be accommodated at Ananteshwara Temple hall and at St. Rita High School, and 300 female competitors would be accommodated at Vitla High School. The district administration has set up 22 sub-committees to ensure smooth conduct of the festival. Mr. Rai directed the officials to ensure that the festival remained hassle-free.

When Asha Thimappa Gowda, president, Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat, pointed out that Mysuru divisional-level youth festival was yet to be held, Mr. Jain directed his officials to ensure that the same was held on or before third week of this month.

Panduranga Gowda, Deputy Director, Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports, said the State government had sanctioned Rs 5.30 lakh to meet organisational expenses and an additional Rs. 5 lakh for State-level youth awards given to organisations and individuals on December 7. Ms. Gowda said the zilla panchayat will provide Rs. 50,000 and efforts will be made to pool in an additional Rs. 4.50 lakh from the 203 gram panchayats in the district. Minister for Health and Family Welfare U.T. Khader announced Rs. 1 lakh from his department.