Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai
Mumbai (RBI), May 16: “Leadership becomes meaningful only when one never loses the quality of leadership. Even if faced with defeat everywhere, the one who never admits personal defeat reaches the pinnacle of success. Self-confidence is the foundation of every visionary's inspiration. Late Jaya C Suvarna instilled this very confidence in others. He rose above caste and politics and will forever remain in the hearts of his admirers,” said minister for primary and secondary education Madhu Bangarappa.
He was speaking at the 79th birth anniversary remembrance of late Jaya C Suvarna, held on Thursday evening at the Brijwasi Palace Auditorium, Goregaon East, Mumbai. The event was jointly organised by Mumbai Billavas and Shri Jaya C Suvarna Abhimanigala Balaga, in honour of the former president of Rashtriya Billavara Maha Mandala (Mulki) and the Billawar Association Mumbai, the late Jaya C Suvarna, a key figure behind the success of Bharat Bank Ltd.
The occasion also marked the golden jubilee (50th birthday) celebration of Suryakant Jaya Suvarna, executive president of Bharat Co-operative Bank (Mumbai) Ltd and a rising community leader. He presided over the event, where minister Bangarappa addressed the gathering, saying, “Suryakant's 50th birthday today also reminds us of Jaya Suvarna’s five decades of committed service and legacy.”
Shri Suvarna Baba of Swarna Nag Mandir (Panchakuteera, Powai) inaugurated the event by lighting the ceremonial lamp. He lauded Jaya Suvrna’s tireless service, calling his contributions to society “unparalleled.”
As part of the golden jubilee felicitation, Suryakant Suvarna was presented with a golden watch, and Shri Suvarna Baba encouraged him to continue living and leading by his father’s values, wishing him to grow into a true ‘golden man’ leader.
Chief guest, former North Mumbai MP Gopal C Shetty, former Karnataka minister Dr Narayan R Gowda, and Bunts Sangha Mumbai president Praveen Bhoja Shetty were among the many dignitaries in attendance.
Also present were:
• Industrialist Harish S Poojary (Wadala)
• Former TMC Mayor Vinakshi R Shinde
• Jayashreekrishna Parisara Premi Samiti founder Jayakrishna A Shetty and president Nityananda D Kotyan
• Ved Kumar, president, Billava Sangha Bengaluru
• Adv Padmaraj R Poojary, treasurer, Shri Kshetra Kudroli, Mangaluru
• Industrialists Sundar Poojary (Pune) and Ganesh R Poojary (Thane)
• Gunapal R Shetty (Aikala)
• Adv D K Shetty, president, Bombay Bunts Association
• Raghu D Moolya, president, Kulala Sangha Mumbai
• K Raje Gowda, president, Vokkaligara Sangha Mumbai
• Praveen N Devadiga, president, Devadiga Sangha Mumbai
• Chandrashekar R Belchada, former president, Thiya Samaj Mumbai
• Krishnakumar N Bangera, vice president, Safalya Seva Sangha
• Vishwanath G Poojary, former president, Billava Sangha Gujarat
• Veteran journalist Chandrashekar Palethady
• Vidyanand S Karkera, CEO and managing director, Bharat Bank
All of them fondly recalled Jaya Suvarna’s values, friendships, and influence. They praised Suryakant Suvarna’s leadership and wished him a prosperous future.
Veteran journalist and speaker Dinesh Amin Mattu paid tribute, stating, “Today’s celebration is not about me. It’s about the sacrifice, commitment, patience, and leadership of Jaya Suvarna that continues to inspire all of us. Such a personality cannot be erased from memory. He was possibly born to uphold the pride of the Billava community. If we, his followers, move ahead in unity, the society will grow even stronger. Jaya Suvarna’s fearless and visionary leadership is what society truly needs.”
Suryakant Suvarna, accompanied by his wife Nishita S Suvarna, family, and well-wishers, cut a birthday cake to mark the celebration.
The event was organised by Surendra A Poojary (Saicare), with key contributions from:
• Organisers: Chitrapu Lakshman C Poojary (NCP), Sadashiva A Karkera
• Bharat Bank’s vice president: Adv Somanath B Amin
• Directors: Bhaskar M Salyan, Gangadhar J Poojary, Niranjan Lakshman Poojary
• Executive committee members of Billava Association: Mahesh Karkera, Adv Shashidhar Kapu, Ermal Harish Shetty, Ratnakar Shetty Mundkur, Yadu Narayan Shetty, Ravi Poojary Bol, Suresh Shetty Yeyyadi, Ravindra Shanti, Ganesh Poojary, Adv Ravi Kotyan, Ashok Kukyan Sasihitlu, Babita J Kotyan, Shashikala Kotyan, Anita Poojary Takode, and others.
Board members, senior officials, staff of Bharat Bank, and former and current committee members of the Billava Association, along with members of the Seva Dal, were also present and offered congratulations.
The programme began with a prayer by Yashodhara Bangera, a welcome address and guest introduction by Harish Hejmady, and compering by Dhananjay Shanti. Shashidhar Bangera Mattu proposed the vote of thanks.
The event concluded with a vibrant cultural programme presented by the talented artists of Jaya C Suvarna Abhimanigala Balaga.