Rs 12-crore project Kannada Bhavana to come up in Bahrain in November


Pics: Umesh Marpalli 

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (MS) 

Udupi, Jul 8: “By the end of November this year, Kannada Sangha is completing its dream project of Kannada Bhavana in Bahrain. The Sangha was set up in 1977 in a small way. The Sangha slowly grew to be a major expatriate social and cultural organization in Bahrain. Through the years, the Sangha has put in efforts to protect the Kannada language, art and culture by organizing memorable events, charity drives, entertainment activities, social gatherings and humanitarian efforts. This year we are celebrating 42 years of the establishment of the organization,” Pradeep Shetty, president of Kannada Sangha Bahrain, said. 

Pradeep was speaking at the press club in the city on Monday, July 8. 

 

 

He further said, “We are proud that the Karnataka State Government honoured the Sangha with ‘State award’ in 2002. This stands testimony to the role of the Sangha in propagating the Kannada language and its culture in a foreign country. We have amateur artists’ Yakshagana team and we have conducting stage shows since 37 years.” 

“Last year, former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda laid foundation stone for the building. During 2009, the state government, led by former CM Yeddyurappa sanctioned Rs 1 crore for the project in the first phase. The present government also announced Rs 2 crore of funds through Kannada and Sanskrit department, but so far we have not received the amount. It took a long time to get permit for starting the project. About 60% of construction work is over now,” said Pradeep giving details of the project.

Pradeep further elaborated about the project and said, “This is a four-storey building. By November of this year, the work will be completed. The total cost of the project is Rs 12 crore. Kannadigas from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain and Qatar have extended financial help. This is the first Kannada Bhavana, which is happening with the support of Karnataka government.” 

As many as 35,000 Kannadigas stay in Bahrain, of which 60% belong to the coastal belt. 

Austin Santhosh, building construction committee, D Ramesh, vice-president and Sushakar Shetty, chairman, fund raising committee were present on the occasion. 

Dream project - Kannada Bhavana, Kannada Sangha 

Bahrain is not just a club. It is a community centre; a cultural arena; a home - a little Karnataka. For the last, almost four decades the Sangha has provided solace to thousands of Kannadigas. They could come every day, spend time engaging in their hobbies and with friends. With the increasing number of Kannadigas on the island, the need for more facilities and the Sangha building aging, members felt an urgent need for a new building to house the Sangha and hence was born our dream project - Kannada Bhavana. 

The project, a first-of-its-kind, will be a cultural and research centre for all Kannadigas of Bahrain and also of entire Gulf. 

Facilities 

The project will house a multi-purpose hall, classrooms for imparting training and tuition, offices, a gym, a full-fledged library, indoor sports facilities, a café lounge and meeting rooms with a view to making it a self-sustainable complex. This will also have some commercial space to rent out. There is ground plus three floors in the building, which hopes to meet the aspirations of the large Kannada community on the island. 

Kannada - Community - Culture established with the motto "Sangha Jeevanave Sukha Jeevana (A life of togetherness is a happy life)" Kannada Sangha Bahrain is today a home away from home for Kannadigas in the kingdom. Step into the corridors of the Sangha, the warmth is perceptible. The scent of sandalwood, the culture of Kannada permeates every heart here. Sangha helps members and their family, especially the younger ones, stays in touch with the essence of our heritage, giving them a sense of belonging and a life of oneness in a foreign land. It helps keep the cultural flame alive within each of its members while contributing its mite to the Bahrain community. 

History 

A stroll down memory lane fills every member of Kannada Sangha with pride. The Sangha's history is one which every visitor, every member reminisces. Its achievements make more than 20,000 Kannadigas on the island and the entire 55 million Kannadigas, the world over proud. 

The Sangha has invited and honoured some of the giants in the fields of literature, theatre, film, art and politics. They all have fond memories of Bahrain - the Pearl of Gulf - and the Sangha.

  

Top Stories

Comment on this article

  • Vincent Rodrigues, Katapadi/Bangaluru

    Tue, Jul 09 2019

    Good news indeed and congratulations as well.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Tue, Jul 09 2019

    Karnataka is gaining Prominence in the World ...

    DisAgree [3] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • stanley karkada, Mangalore\ Kadri /USA

    Tue, Jul 09 2019

    Congratulations....

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • I wish I was There, Bahrain

    Tue, Jul 09 2019

    Bahrain is a good place to live, Bahrain is a Global Island, thanks to the Royal Family for keeping us safe.

    DisAgree Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Mon, Jul 08 2019

    Educated Karnataka is now admired by the World ...

    DisAgree [2] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Max e Rasquinha, Mangalore, Houston/Dallas, Texas

    Mon, Jul 08 2019

    What a delightful message to read that the Karnataka Sangha in Bahrain will slowly but shortly embark upon a "Kannada Bhavana" in Bahrain. This will be a historic event for all the Kannadigas all over the world. The latest statistics show that the world at large has about 25 million INDIANS scattered all over the world, hence your statistical figure of 55 million Kannadigas might be slightly over exaggerated.

    Kannadigas are certainly well established all over the world. Kannadigas are normally a low profile non-interfering culture, well educated and well established all over the world. Last year we had a "Kannada Summehlan" in Dallas, Texas where even the Maharaja of Mysore took part in the prestigious gathering of more than 3500 Kannadigas from all over the world.

    Bahrain is not a small Sheikhdom any more. It is a Kingdom with well established link of Trade, Culture, Education and much more with India. We were allowed to register in the year of 1957 a Karnataka Sports Club, Karnataka Cricket Club and also a Mangalorean Dramatic Club in the year of 1957 with full rights and privileges. Our Cricket Club was even invited to Kuwait by the Kuwait Oil Company in the year of 1959 to be part of the Gulf Cricket League.

    The Kannada Bhavan therefore will shine with high colors in Bahrain. We wish you all best of success. Please keep us posted with your continued growth and success.

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse


Leave a Comment

Title: Rs 12-crore project Kannada Bhavana to come up in Bahrain in November



You have 2000 characters left.

Disclaimer:

Please write your correct name and email address. Kindly do not post any personal, abusive, defamatory, infringing, obscene, indecent, discriminatory or unlawful or similar comments. Daijiworld.com will not be responsible for any defamatory message posted under this article.

Please note that sending false messages to insult, defame, intimidate, mislead or deceive people or to intentionally cause public disorder is punishable under law. It is obligatory on Daijiworld to provide the IP address and other details of senders of such comments, to the authority concerned upon request.

Hence, sending offensive comments using daijiworld will be purely at your own risk, and in no way will Daijiworld.com be held responsible.