Dr Veerendra Heggade in Dubai to Unite Tuluvas for Tulu Sammelan
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Report: Shodhan Prasad
Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai
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Dubai, Aug 9: UAE Tulu Koota with the initiative of Dr B R Shetty hosted a warm welcome to Dharmadhikari Dr Veerendra Heggade of Shri Kshetra Dharmastala & Dr Mohan Alva of Alva’s Education Foundation who have come all the way from Mangalore to brief hosting of the first and foremost ‘Vishwa Tulu Sammelan 2009’ in Ujire. Dr Heggade touched UAE enroute his tour to Russia with the arrangement mediated by Dr B R Shetty on behalf of UAE Tulu Koota.
The programme was all set at Lotus Hotel, Dubai started at around 7 pm with participants for the first time in UAE interestingly from all over the gulf.
Sarvotham Shetty, a Rajyotsava Awardee himself, opened up the event with welcome speech in his golden voice. The guests welcomed and on the stage included, Dr Veerendra Heggade, Dharmadhikari Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala, Dr Mohan Alva of Alva’s Education Foundation, C R Shetty, president, UAE Tulukoota and Karnataka Sangha Dubai, Dr B R Shetty, chief convenor of UAE Tulu Koota and MD of NMC Group Companies, Pitamber Alke, president of Tulu Koota, Muscat, Surendra Heggade, brother of Shri Veerendra Heggade, Ravi Shetty, President of Tulu Koota, Qatar, Elias Sanctis & N S Shetty of Tulu Koota, Kuwait. Sarvotham introduced Dr Veerendra Heggade and his mission ‘Vishwa Tulu Sammelan’ which is due to be held in Dakshina Kannada during the period 10th December 2009 to 13th December, 2009.
As released to the press, Ujire in Belthangady taluk will host the first Vishwa Tulu Sammelan in association with Shri Kshetra Academy from December 10th to 13th with Shri Veerendra Heggade as the Chairman of reception committee said that the exhibitions reflecting Tulu Sports and Culture will be held in seven taluk headquarters from October 21 to 28. The reception committee has received a good response from informal feelers sent to Tulu speaking community and can register as delegates by paying Rs.251/- which will entitle them to memento, publication, boarding and lodging facilities.
Dr Veerendra Heggade was felicitated with flowers, fruits and shawl by Dr B R Shetty. Even all other dignitaries on the stage were also felicitated with flowers and shawl on behalf of UAE Tulu Koota. Kushal Shetty one of the active Tulu activist in UAE, spoke few words especially on Dr. Heggade and Dr. Mohan Alva and welcomed them with flower bouquet.
Soon after the felicitation, Dr Heggade opened up his speech remembering Manjunatha Swamy and Annappa Swamy of Dharmasthala and spoke in pure tulu language. First and foremost he thanked all those who have taken interest and attended the function in spite of their busy schedule. He emphasized the importance of tulu language and culture and remembered people who have dedicated all their time for the existence and survival of this language. He said that God is one who has blessed every one irrespective of caste and religion for the good deeds they have done to the society and Tulu is one such language commonly spoken by all the faiths in the southern part of Karnataka which really should be applauded. Though there are many languages spoken by different faiths in Dakshina Kannada, tulu is the only common language in use though Kannada is the state language. Now it is the duty of every individual residing in this part of the society to save this dying language. He also mentioned about the people of tulunad who have contributed a lot to the mankind wherever they go. He then mentioned about the influence of western culture in our home town which fuels the slow fading of our rich language, because of which there comes the need of ‘Vishwa Tulu Sammelan’. Dr. Heggade mentioned about the great saints, philosophers and god men of yesteryears such as Koti Chennaya who have sacrificed their lives for the betterment of tulu nadu. He said we now have to think of uplifting our society and contributing to the development of our home land which is blessed with all natural resources.
The main theme of ‘Vishwa Tulu Sammelan’ is “Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow”. Unlike previous similar sammelans, this is not exhibiting culture, drama and dance but purely on discussions, talk shows, education, investment etc. along with keeping up the tradition.
In brief, the ‘Vishwa Tulu Sammelan’ will be held in 6 main cities of Dakshina Kannada and will focus on the opportunity of investment, Sahitya, Sanskriti, Education and above all work on keeping up our traditional alive. Special mention was on B.R. Shetty and his contribution to the society which was applauded. Dr. Heggade welcomed all the NRI’s to attend the sammelan and requested everyone to make this event a unique event.
Dr Mohan Alva, General Secretary of the Samithi started his speech with love and dedication to Dr. Heggade and with all the praise for his kind deeds to mankind. He said that since long this event is being spoken but was not able to do due to several reasons. He said this time with the blessings of the Dharmadhikari he is sure that the sammelan will take place. The sammelan is all about ‘Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow’ keeping in mind Tulu naadu, Tulu language, tulu tradition and development of mankind in this part of the world. He specially made comment on those ancestors of Tulu nadu who have dedicated their life to the upliftment of our society.
The places selected for the event includes, Mangalore, Moodubidri, Udupi, Kasargod, Puttur, Sullia, Bantwal and Karkala and will be on Saturdays. Around 20 different committees are formed to take care of this event through out. Dr. Alva briefed about the website and on line registration process for those Tuluvas who need to register and take part in this great event. He also stressed that people in great numbers take interest and participate in this unique event. He also spoke about Tulu Academy. He mentioned that though tulu is not a language of other minority communities like Beary’s and Catholics of Dakshina Kannada, it is more spoken by these in great numbers and this should be appreciated. He said these communities have contributed a lot to the existence of tulu language which is applaudable. A latest discovery says the great King Krishadevaraya Wodeyar of Karnataka is a moola Tuluva origin.
Sarvotham Shetty spoke on the web site and registration process to this event and requested the attendees to spread this to their friends and relatives.
Ravi Shetty, President of Qatar Tulu Koot spoke on the importance of this meet and also mentioned about their 10th anniversary programme held recently. C.R. Shetty, President of Karnataka Sangha Dubai and UAE Tulu Koota spoke on the importance of tulu culture. He emphasized and requested the organizers to think of making a model city for tuluvas back in home town so that we can visit, take our children there and show them that this is our culture, tradition and values.
Elias Sanctis of Kuwait Tulu Koota praised about those people who are really born to help others. He mentioned those names of great personalities who were born specially to serve the community and that we need to remember them for their good deeds. His speech in a mix of Kannada and Tulu with flavour of ‘gaade maathu’ was really interesting to hear. He whole heartedly showed his willingness to join the sammelan and said about forming external committees for the NRI’s to ease participation. N.R. Shetty of Kannada Koota, Kuwait also spoke and praised about the good deeds of Shri Veerendra Heggade and Mohan Alva to the society. He also whole heartedly welcomed the idea and his willingness to contribute.
Other speakers included, Dr. Yousuf of Beary’s Cultural Forum, L.V. Puthran of Mogaveers UAE, and finally B.R. Shetty on behalf of UAE Tulu Koota who briefly introduced all the stalwarts of Tulu Naadu residing in the gulf and their contribution to their mother land.
In between special mention on the good deeds of Dr. Veerendra Heggade were mentioned such as ‘Micro Financing’ which is running successful with spot approval at site and ‘Suraksha’ Insurance Scheme which has around 10 lakh people enrolled with direct billing facility. These are ably run and organized by the Dharmadhikari himself.
There was a open question and answer cession and many tuluvas spoke about the concern and shared some good points which were noted by Dr. Heggade promising that those concerns will be taken care of. Especially those points raised by Herman Louis of 105.4 HM Radio Spice on pushing our youth in these participation and suggestion from Denzil who said that we need to invite non-tuluvas from around the world to participate in this great event.
Finally, old students of SDM College, gathered together to felicitate their guru ‘Shri Veerendra Heggade’ with flower bouqet which really touched his heart.
Sarvotham Shetty praised the Media for their coverage and Dr. Mohan Alva, concluded the programme with vote of thanks and a sumptuous vegetarian buffet was served to all the attendees at the Lotus Hotel, Dubai.