Ramcy Fernandes
Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai
Dubai, Nov 12 : Karnataka Sangha Dubai celebrated Karnataka state's 57th Rajyotsava event on Friday November 9 evening at Indian Academy School, Qusais Dubai.
The event started with lighting the lamp by president Girish Shetty, Daya Kirodian, K R Tantry, Vinu Vishwanath Shetty, C R Shetty, Jayanth Shettty and Chandrashekar Sankole.
Udupi-Chikmagalur MP Jayaprakash P Hegde, who was expected to attend the event could not make it due to unavoidable circumstances. But he sent a video message to the event organisers to explain his inability to attend the event, and also his made his speech through the video. The video was displayed to the audience.
Former Karnataka chief minister H D Kumaraswamy too could not make it to the event.
Nevertheless, the audience was jubilant to watch their favourite Kannada actor Challenging Star Darshan along with former miss Karnataka and actress Madhuri, as well as another actress Sunitha Alluri. Mangalore International Airport former director M R Vasudeva was also present along with his wife. All the guests were receved with traditional 'chende' amidst rousing cheer from the houseful audience.
Arun Sagar noted mimicry artiste enthralled the audience with his performance.
In a felicitation programme conducted by K R Tantry, Vasudeva was honoured for his service in making the airport worth the international status. On behalf of Karnataka Sangha and all Kannadiga NRIS he received the honour in the presence of his wife. President Girisha Shetty, secretary Daya Kirodian, JD(S) leader and NRI entrepenuer Zafarullah Khan felicitated the couple with a shawl, memento, citation and fruits.
In his address Vasudeva thanked NRIs from the coastal region of Karnataka spread around the UAE and other countries for their support in making Mangalore Airport international. "JP Hegde pursued this issue extensively with the government. Aviation secretary K N Srivastava who also hails from Karnataka was instrumental in getting this recognition for Mangalore airport," he said.
"I have enormous satisfaction in the fact that international flights, ISO certification and official international status came to Mangalore airport during my tenure."
He gave huge credit to Rajesh Sequeira, co-ordinator Karnataka NRE Forum for his efforts, "What I could not ask the government, Rajesh asked it. He took a lot of interest and kept up relentless pressure on us and the government. Being a government official I could only act as a messenger, but the NRI Forum under Rajesh's leadership was instrumental in getting Managlore Airport to new heights," he said.
He also appreciated the role played by daijiworld.com as media. "Right from 2004, daijiworld had been carrying a number of articles and opinions and thereby became a catalyst and a main bridge between the people of the coastal region, the Airport and all NRIs. Being a powerful media, daijiworld played a key role in making every Mangalorean's dream a reality," he lauded.
He thanked Karnataka Sangha Dubai for inviting him on behalf of all Kannadigas. "I will remain grateful to Girish Shettym Daya Kirodian and all office bearers, who were very generous to honour me, usually, when a government officer if completes his terms successfully , it would be a great honour. But Karnataka Sangha honoured me even after my retirement," he said.
Former president of Sangha C R Shetty too spoke on the occasion and wished Kannadigas a happy Rajyostsava and Diwali.
Zafarullah Khan, now JD(S) party national general secretary urged people to convey thier problems to him through email, so that he could liaise with the state government through his party. He can be reached at jdsngs@yahoo.com.
Walter Nandalike of Daijiworld, Udupi district Rajyostava award winner Vinu Vishwanath Shetty, and main sponsor Brigade Group's Indrani Shekhar were also present on the dais as guests.
Rajesh Sequeira was given a special memento by Karnataka Sangha for his contribution to the cause of Mangalore International Airport.
The event was represented by members of various association, who were also called upon the state and feliciated. They were Karnataka Sangha Abu Dhabi president Sarvotham Shetty, Karnataka Sangha Sharjah president Satish Poojary, Mangalore Konkans president James Mendonca, Daiji Dubai Konkani Writers' Forum founder Dayan D'Souza, Billawa Balaga Dubai former president Ashok Anchan, Kannada Koota president Sadan Das, Basava Samiti president, Murgesh Gajare, Billawa Balaga Abu Dhabi convener Manohar Tonse, and Mogaveers UAE secretary Yadav Kotian.
Other prominent persons like Herman Lewis of Radio Spice, Praveen Shetty of Fortune Group, noted Vasthu specialist Ashok Purohit and others were also honoured.
Songs peformed by various local artistes, a patriotic Kannada song composed and presented by Vincent Fernandes of Mogachim Lahran, a superb dance by Saritha Kirodian and Rashmi Manohar Hegde, a dance by children, and many more performances entertained the audience.
The highlight of entertainment event was Bale dance by Dashavatara team members who arrived all the way from Bangalore. The traditional dance was spectacular and received rousing applause from the audience.
Arab Udupi Hotel provided free dinner packets to all the audience who witnessed this event.
The entire event was ably and proficiently compered by Shilpha Sudhakar, Premalatha and Shashidhar.
Al Faris Dubai and Brigade Group of Bangalore were the main sponsors. SS Properties, Haridas J Salian, Ramee Group, Arab Udupi and Vinu Vishwanath Shetty were the support sponsors.
President of Karnataka Sangha Girish Shetty, who put in enormous efforts in making this event a successful one, said that it was a team effort which had led to the event's success.
"Our executive committee members Kushal Shetty Jayanth Shetty, Satish Shetty, Shashidar, Chandrashekar, Lawrence, Peer Mohammed, Manohar Hegde, Arun M, Harish Kodi, Marina, Susan Gowda and all the sub committee members have put in lots of efforts and scripted the success of this event," he said.
The stage was beautifully set by Satish Shetty of Sai Vision.
Brigade Group supported the raffle draw with a free 2-day stay at Sheraton 5 star hotel in Bangalore, and Karnataka Sangha Dubai with an 8 gm gold coin.
Purvankara Dance competition 2012 prize money was handed over to all the winners and runners-up who were present. The rest of the contestants can contact treasurer Jayanth Shetty to collect their cash prizes.