The Impressive TimesMandya (Karnataka): Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya and Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H. D. Kumaraswamy on Saturday laid the foundation stone for a multi-purpose indoor sports complex in Mandya district of Karnataka. The facility, sanctioned under the Government of India’s Khelo India programme, will be built at an estimated cost of ₹14 crore.
The sports complex will be developed within the campus of the University of Agricultural Sciences at VC Farm in Mandya. During the ceremony, the ministers urged young people in the region to strengthen the sporting culture and help Mandya produce more national-level athletes under the slogan “Khelo India! Vibrant Mandya!”
Several public representatives attended the event, including former minister C.S. Puttaraju, Melukote MLA Darshan Puttannaiah and K.R. Pete MLA Manjunath, along with senior district officials.
Speaking at the event, Mandaviya said the Khelo India programme was launched to revive sports at the grassroots level and help India grow into a global sporting powerhouse. He noted that the new sports facility in Mandya became possible due to the efforts of his cabinet colleague Kumaraswamy.
The Union Sports Minister also praised the sporting achievements of the district, recalling athletes such as Vikas Gowda and K. P. Shilpa who have represented India and brought recognition to Mandya.
Mandaviya especially mentioned wheelchair tennis player K.P. Shilpa, currently ranked India’s number-one wheelchair tennis athlete, for her achievements at national and international competitions.
He expressed confidence that improved sports infrastructure would encourage many more young talents from Mandya to excel in the future.
Mandaviya said the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has significantly strengthened the country’s sports ecosystem over the past decade. According to him, the latest Union Budget has allocated ₹4,000 crore for sports development, compared to about ₹1,200 crore ten years ago.
The ceremony was also attended by Nirmalanandanatha Mahaswamiji, the pontiff of Adichunchanagiri Mahasamsthana, who delivered blessings during the programme.
Several other dignitaries, including former ministers D.C. Thammanna and C.S. Puttaraju, MLC Vivekananda and local leaders, were present.
As part of welfare initiatives, 388 electric vehicles were distributed to persons with disabilities during the programme. The vehicles were provided under CSR initiatives of Tata Consultancy Services and Steel Authority of India Limited.
In addition, 500 desktop computers and 100 laptops donated by Infosys were handed over to government schools, while an advanced ambulance donated by the Hinduja Group was presented to the Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences.
The event turned emotional when Kumaraswamy personally handed over electric vehicles to beneficiaries with disabilities. As several recipients thanked him, the minister appeared visibly moved and expressed gratitude to those who had travelled from different areas to attend the programme.
Earlier in the day, the two ministers were welcomed in a grand procession after the Bhoomi Pooja ceremony. Supporters greeted them near the VC Farm gate with a massive garland made of jaggery — a product for which Mandya is widely known.
Mandaviya appeared pleasantly surprised by the unique gesture, after which Kumaraswamy explained the significance and reputation of Mandya’s famous jaggery.
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