Bhatkal: A jackfruit festival organised by local entrepreneur Pandurang Naik Belke was inaugurated near Bhatkal Urban Bank on the town’s main road at Syed Kazmi Tower on Tuesday.

Senior journalist Radhakrishna Bhat formally inaugurated the festival by watering a jackfruit sapling, marking the commencement of the event. Speaking on the occasion, he noted that fruits like mango are seasonal and increasingly rare outside their peak period, and described the initiative to make different varieties of jackfruit available as early as March as commendable.

Social worker Nazeer Kashimji, Bhatkal Education Trust President Dr Suresh Nayak, senior physician Dr Savita Kamath, Abdul Jabbar, Rizwan, and Abdul Wasif were among those present and extended their wishes.