Umashree, Minister for Kannada and Culture, said on Monday that some modifications can be brought into the traditional folk sport of “Kamabala” (he-buffalo race) rather than banning it.
It may be recalled that the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences had banned “Kambala” in Udupi district on November 15 and in Dakshina Kannada district on November 21, following objections raised by the Animal Welfare Board of India.
“Kambala” is popular rural folk sport in Tulunadu, which comprises of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts and Kasaragod district of Kerala.
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Speaking to presspersons here, Ms. Umashree said that the legislators and Ministers of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada district had already opposed the ban imposed on Kambala, which is being held in the region for centuries. All the other Ministers of the State Government too were in agreement of this view. “Kambala is both a folk art and a folk sport. Hence a ban on it is incorrect. Some modifications can be brought in Kambala,” she said.
NADA GEETE
On the Committee set up to reduce the time of the “Nada Geete” written by the poet late Kuvempu, Ms. Umashree said that the Committee had given its recommendations. It had written about the time taken in the rendition of full version of the “Nada Geete” and its abridged version. She had brought the recommendations of the Committee of the notice of the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
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While the Committee had given its recommendations, the government had not taken any decision on it. “We will take a decision not just on basis of the recommendations of the Committee but also collect the opinion of the people on it. We will take a decision taking into the account everyone’s sentiments,” she said.
Missing 13-year-old girl
On the delay in tracing the 13-year-old girl Eshika Shetty, who went missing from the Sharada Residential School in Udupi on November 15, Ms. Umashree said that the matter was sensitive. The Superintendent of Police of Udupi district was supervising the case. “The police are yet to get any clues. I am sure the police will crack the case,” she said.
Pramod Madhwaraj, MLA, P. Yuvaraj, President of Udupi City Municipal Council (CMC), Veronica Carnelio, Chairperson of Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Ltd, were present.