Kasargod : Veteran Kannada activist, writer, poet and freedom fighter Kayyara Kinhanna Rai has said that he will work for the merger of Kasargod with Karnataka till his last breath.
Responding to a felicitation conferred on him on the occasion of his 99th birthday celebrations on behalf of Karavali Sanskritika Pratishtana and Kayyara -99 Felicitation Committee, at Kavitha Kuteera, his residence at Peradala in Badiadka on June 8, Saturday, the towering personality hoped he would be there to see the merger of Kasargod with Karnataka, a cause for which he has been fighting since long.
Karnataka Forest Minister Ramanatha Rai felicitated Kayyara on the occasion. Karnataka Minister for Health and Family Welfare UT Khader who was also present as a chief guest, said a huge ceremony would also be arranged in Mangalore in honour of Kayyara. He also described Kayyara as a great source of strength for Kasargod Kannadigas.
Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj earlier inaugurated the function. Shivaram Kasargod, President of Karavali Sanskritika Pratishtana, Subbayya Rai, Kerala Tulu Academy President and others were present on the occasion.
The Kayyara Kinhanna Rai Birth Centenary celebrations were also launched on the occasion.