Annajirao auditorium opened in Dharwad

dharwad: a state-of-the-art dr annajirao shirur rangamandira srujana auditorium was dedicated to the people at a function held in karnataka college here on saturday. the auditorium built at a cost of rs 3.20 crore has been donated by infosys coo nandan nilekani and his wife rohini, and was inaugurated by minister for information technology b.k. chandrashekhar.chandrashekhar regretted that successive governments had failed to remove the regional imbalance and the onus had fallen on individuals and organisations. he hailed nandan nilekani for his gesture in donating the money for the auditorium. the minister also urged nandan, who is also the chairman of the bangalore agenda task force, to construct theatres in bangalore. the minister added he would place a proposal before the government to construct auditoriums in each district and taluk head-quarters. nandan hoped that the auditorium, which will be managed by the dasa trust, would become a hub of cultural and academic activities to promote art and culture. noted theatre activist b.v. karanth recalled the rich cultural and academic heritage of dharwad and termed the gesture of nandan as a befitting tribute to the hometown. padma vibhushana gangubai hanagal was felicitated by nandan and rohini nilekani. vice-chancellor of karnataka university dr a.m. pathan presided. theatre personalities prema karant, t.s. nagabharana, noted critic keertinath kurtakoti, among others, were present. secretary of dasa trust and principal of karnataka arts college veena shanteshwar welcomed the gathering. v.v. mulgund, b.g. nadakatti, b.g. mulimani, sushila balundagi introduced the guests. registrar of karnatak university shivayogi kalasad proposed a vote of thanks. a musical recital by ashwini bhide and balekhan and an art exhibition were also organised.