Bengaluru: The Highly anticipated ‘Bengaluru Kambala, Namma Kambala’ event kicked off in the city on Saturday, featuring the popular cultural Tulunadu sport 'Kambala' (Buffalo Race) and various other cultural programs. The two-day event being held at the Palace Grounds witnessed a large turnout, not only by people hailing from Karavali region, but also from other parts of the city.

In the meantime, the Kambala committee is also expecting people’s participation in more numbers on the event’s last day, on Sunday. This year’s Kambala season started from ‘Kakkepadavu Kambala’ in Bantwal.

Residents who have been away from their hometowns in coastal regions expressed joy at the opportunity to witness their traditional sport in Bengaluru. “We used to witness such events during our childhood days in our village, after coming to Bengaluru we had no much chance of watching the sport. However, for the first time we get to witness our land’s sport here in Bengaluru,” says Sunita who has been residing in Bengaluru for the past few years and hails from Udupi.

Another attendee, who works at a private firm in the city, states that the event gives a “Mini Tulunadu vibe.”

Meanwhile, jockey (Kambala Runner) of the Pannolibail Bandarada Mane team, expressed that, “I was nervous initially, since we were coming outside our region for the first time. However, me and my team are excited for the race. This should also continue for the years to come.”

Another jockey of the Sullia team, called the event a ‘Mini Tulunadu’ gathering in Bengaluru.

Hemant, a UPSC aspirant from Bengaluru, who is unfamiliar with the sport, expressed happiness over the coastal cultural event being held in the capital city. “ People here are not aware about traditions of various parts of Karnataka and for that reason, such events should take place. I had read about Kambala in my school books but never witnessed it. But, today I got an opportunity. Tulunadu culture is indeed very rich,” he added.

Meantime, two tourists, Adam and Issie from England also came down to Palace Grounds to attend the Kambala, speaking to this correspondent they revealed that their hotelier informed them about the grand sport being held here. “We enjoyed the food so far, though we are not aware about the events being held we have enjoyed things here. We haven’t seen the buffaloes yet but we are excited to witness the race.”

"People of Mangaluru, Udupi, Kundapura don't go to heaven, they create heaven wherever they go.": Mimicry Dayananda

Renowned stand-up comedian, actor, and television presenter Mimicry Dayananda, performing at the 'Bengaluru Kambala, Namma Kambala' on Saturday, emphatically declared that the people of Mangaluru, Udupi, and Kundapura don't go to heaven; they create heaven wherever they go. Dayananda delighted the audience with his mimicry and humorous anecdotes.

In addition to Mimicry Dayananda's performance, popular Tulu actor Umesh Mijar and his team from the 'Bale Telipaale' show, Chennukunita, and various other traditional performances added to the cultural vibrancy of Day 1 at Bengaluru Kambala.

The two day mega sporting event is organised under the joint auspices of the Kambala Committees of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Kasaragodu districts and the Bengaluru Kambala Committee, and will come to a close on November 26, Sunday. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, popular music director Gurukiran Shetty, Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly U.T Khader, Former Karnataka Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappa, Former Minister Sadananda Gowda and several other distinguished guests graced the event on its first day.

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New Delhi (PTI): The BJP alleged on Thursday that the Congress, ahead of the CWC meeting in Karnataka's Belagavi, put up welcome banners with a distorted map of India, and asked the party whether it is following a "signal" from anti-India forces like US-based billionaire investor George Soros.

The Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) charge came after its Karnataka unit posted on X pictures of a banner and a welcome flex allegedly put up by the Congress in Karnataka ahead of its working committee meeting.

"@INCKarnataka has shown utter disrespect for India's sovereignty by displaying a distorted map at their Belagavi event, portraying Kashmir as part of Pakistan. All this just to appease their vote bank. This is shameful!" the Karnataka BJP posted on X, along with pictures.

There was no immediate reaction from the Congress on the BJP's charge.

"Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Aksai Chin appear to be missing from the map used by the Congress. The important thing is that it (the map) has been used with Mahatma Gandhi's picture," BJP national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi told a press conference at the party headquarters here.

He alleged that this is not the first time that the Congress has used a distorted map of India. It has done so several times in the past, he charged

"Why is India's map being shown after removing different parts of the country? Is it just a coincidence or part of a systematic anti-India experiment? At whose behest is this happening?" Trivedi asked, adding, "Is there a signal coming from some Soros secret service or from other anti-India forces based abroad with whom you always get along well?"

The BJP leader alleged that the Congress's "nexus" with such forces that dream of disintegrating India has become "absolutely clear", with the party using a "distorted" map of the country.

"I want to assure everyone that the government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is alert about all such forces. We are fully confident that the people of the country are equally alert and keeping an eye on such forces," Trivedi said, adding that such elements will never succeed in achieving their goal.

No anti-India force can halt the country's progress and growing strength, he asserted. A meeting of the extended Congress Working Committee (CWC) is scheduled to be held in Belagavi on Thursday.