Rons Bantwal

Mumbai, Oct 10: Harish G Amin, president of the Billawara Association Mumbai, described senior social worker, writer and education enthusiast Harish G Poojary Kokkarné as a rare personality known for simplicity, honesty and hard work, who treats everyone with love, warmth and equal respect without seeking publicity or wishing ill of anyone.

He was speaking at the release of ‘Kokkarneya Kirana’, an autobiographical felicitation volume brought out in honour of Harish G Poojary Kokkarné, managing editor of the monthly magazine ‘Akshaya’, on the occasion of his 80th birthday. The programme was organised by the Harish Poojary Kokkarné Abhimani Vrinda Mumbai at the Billawa Bhavan in Santacruz East on Wednesday, October 7, with Harish G Amin presiding.

Billawara Association Mumbai honorary president L V Amin was present as an honoured guest, while N T Poojary, working president of the Billawa Chamber of Commerce, attended as the chief guest.

Renowned researcher and litterateur Babu Shiva Poojary, Dr Dheeraj Harish Poojary of the USA, G P Kusuma, editor of the quarterly magazine ‘Saphalya’, former Bharat Bank director Sharada S Karkera, Billawara Association Mumbai vice-presidents Purushotham S Kotian, Jayanti V Ullal, K Suresh Kumar and Mohan C Kotian, honorary general secretary Harish G Salyan, honorary general treasurer Ravi S Sanil, women's wing working president Shakuntala K Kotian and chief editor Dr Eshwar Alevoor were also present.

The felicitation volume was formally released at the event. On the occasion of his 80th birthday, Harish Poojary Kokkarné and his wife Suguna Poojary were felicitated on behalf of the association.

K Harish Hejmadi, editor of ‘Akshaya’ monthly magazine, delivered the felicitation address. Joint treasurer Keshav K Kotian compered the programme.

A Yakshagana performance depicting the life story of Harish Poojary Kokkarné was presented under the direction of M T Poojary Poojari. The performance featured Dr Sejan Ninnane and Ankita Nayz Chikka Mela.