Silver Jubilee Celebration of Jayashree Krishna Environmental Protection Committee
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to inaugurate the event in Mangaluru on September 6
(Mangaluru) Mangaluru: Born about 25 years ago with the sole aim of comprehensive development of undivided Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, pollution-free industrialization and environmental protection, ‘Jayashri Krishna Environmental Protection Committee’, the dream child of Thonse Jayakrishna Shetty, has grown into a self-governing organization (NGO) with great pride today.
With the motto of ‘Save land and water, grow industry, achieve progress, eliminate poverty, develop our village – protect the environment, air, water and land, keep your surrounding area clean. Support development and industries – create jobs – eradicate poverty. It is our responsibility to love our caste and religion. But it is our highest responsibility to love and respect other castes and religions, following the meaningful message at every step, through its continuous work activities, it is now organizing its Silver Jubilee Celebrations on September 6, 2026 at 3.00 pm at Kudmul Rangarao Town Hall, Hampanakatte, Mangalore.
This historic program will be inaugurated by the Honorable Chief Minister of the Government of Karnataka, D. K. Shivakumar.
The President of the Committee, Tonse Sri Nityananda D. Kotian, will preside over the function, and NRI eminent Dr. Ronald Colasso will deliver the welcome speech.
The Founder of the Committee, Tonse Jayakrishna Shetty, will speak in detail about the vision of the Committee’s projects.
The program will be attended by Coastal Karnataka In-charge Minister U. T. Khader, Energy and Tourism Minister K. J. George, Udupi MP Kota Srinivas Poojary, Mangalore MP Captain Brijesh Chauta, MLAs D. Vedavyas Kamath, Ashok Kumar Rai, Legislative Council members Ivan D’Souza, Manjunath Bhandari, Coastal Karnataka Development Authority Executive Chairman M. A. Gafoor, Alva’s Education Foundation, Moodbidri Chairman Dr. Mohan Alva, MRG Group Managing Director Dr. K. Prakash Shetty, Al Muraif Founder Zakaria Jokatte, Buntara Sangha Mumbai Chairman Praveen Bhoja Shetty, Vishwa Devadiga Mahamandal President Dharmapala Devadiga, Dr. David Frank Fernandes (Businessman, Dubai) and the Honorary Chairman of the Committee Padma Vibhushan Dr. B. M. Hegde will be present.
Cultural program:
As part of the Belli Habba ceremony, a dance performance titled “Natyalahari” will be performed by the ‘Natyaranga’ troupe of Puttur under the direction of Vidushi Manjula Subrahmanya from 3.00 pm to 4.00 pm, and a public feast will be organized at 7.30 pm.
Marking 25 years of achievements:
On 30th December 2000, Padma Vibhushan Sri Sri Sri Vishweshatheertha Swamiji of Pejavara Math of Udupi Sri Krishna Temple, while he was sitting on the Madhwacharya Peetha as the Paryaya Swamiji, he named the Jaya Sri Krishna Environment Lover Committee.
Late George Fernandes has been the backbone of all the activities and achievements of the committee since 2000. Rajya Sabha member and Dharmadhikari, Padma Vibhushan Dr. Veerendra Heggade has always been a benefactor, guide and well-wisher of the committee since the day of its establishment. The committee always remembers his invaluable and committed support.
Dr. B. M. Hegde, an internationally renowned doctor and former Vice Chancellor of Manipal University, has been serving as the Honorary President of the committee since its establishment and has been providing invaluable guidance and support to the committee.
At a time when environmentalists were strongly opposing the establishment of industries in the undivided Dakshina Kannada districts in the name of environmental protection, in 1995, the American company Cogentrix tried to set up a 1000 MW power plant in Padubidri, Udupi district. This project had the full support of the Government of India and the Government of Karnataka.
The then Chief Minister of Karnataka, J. H. Patel, had announced that the government would set up the Cogentrix power project in Padubidri. The foundation stone of the project was to be laid by the then Prime Minister Narasimha Rao, and this matter was published in all the leading newspapers of the country. However, the opposition to the power project intensified and protests took place on a large scale. The situation even went beyond the control of the police department and the Karnataka government.
The day before the Prime Minister was to lay the foundation stone of the Cogentrix power project, the foundation stone laying program was canceled in the face of strong opposition from the locals and others.
Finally, after about five years of continuous efforts, the Cogentrix company, which had spent Rs 120 crore on the project, withdrew from India. As a result of this incident, the undivided Dakshina Kannada district was labeled a “bad district” in terms of industrial development until 2001.
Realizing the injustice done to the twin districts, a committee headed by engineer and social worker, Tonse Jayakrishna Shetty, resolved to lead the twin districts on the path of development.
With the slogan “Protect the environment – Support development”, the committee worked for the comprehensive development of the districts in the context of every youth looking for their job and business opportunities in the 21st century. The committee is to establish a mega power plant with a flue gas desulfurization unit.
Upgrading Mangalore Airport to an international airport with night landing facilities. Expanding the existing runway at Mangalore Airport and removing necessary obstacles.
Resumption of Mangalore-Bengaluru rail link which was stopped for 16 years and converting the railway line from meter gauge to broad gauge. These were the main demands of the committee.
The committee is working with utmost honesty, loyalty and dedication for the national interest.
