Daijiworld Media Network – Dubai (MS)
Dubai, May 16: Academic year closing and decennial celebration of Kannada Patashaale Dubai, led by Kannada Mitraru UAE organization, which is renowned as the biggest Kannada learning centre of the world, was held on Sunday, May 12 at Indian Academy of Dubai.
Ravi Hegde, chief editor of Asianet Suvarna News and Kannada Prabha, Shashidhar Nagarajappa, founder president of Kannada Mitraru UAE, Siddalingesh B R, vice president, Praveen Shetty, president of Karnataka NRI committee, Mohan Narasimhamurthy, vice president of Karnataka NRI committee, Dr Vishwanath J P, state president of Karnataka Prajashakti committee, U Nagaraja Rao, chief of Bheema Jewellers, Dr B K Yusuf, main patron of Karnataka Sangha Dubai, Harish Sherigar, chief of ACME and Govinda Naika, Dubai in-charge of JSS group of educational institutions were the chief guests.
Speaking on the occasion Ravi Hegde extended his support to the effort of Kannada Mitra group in the distant land of Arabs of developing the Kannada language. Govinda Naik shed light on the aversion towards mother tongue of present generation and called to convey the importance of mother tongue to children. The Kannada concern speech of Dr Vishwanath J P inspired everyone. Harish Sherigar extended meaningful wishes and cooperation from his end.
Founder president Shashidhar Nagarajappa, in his introductory speech thanked Kannada development authority which gave recognition to Kannada Paata Shaale Dubai. He also thanked minister Shivaraja Tangadagi and secretary of Kannada development authority Santhosh Hanagalla. Shashidhar also provided information on talks that are in progress with Dr Mahesh Joshi to open examination centre in Dubai to facilitate fourth stage examination called Pravesha, Kaava, Jaana and Ratna for students who studied Kannada in gulf region. Nagaraj also said that Dr Arathi Krishna, vice president of Karnataka NRI committee, who was supposed to attend the function has offered her full support and help in coming days. Special thanks were offered to the sponsors and patrons who provided financial help to the decennial celebration.
Kannada Mitra award of this year was presented to Abdul Latif S M Jahagidar, who donated one acre of his land to the government school of his native place. Kannada Rathna award was presented to Praveen Kumar Shetty and Mohan Narasimhamurthy who have served 10 years as chief patrons of Kannada Paata Shaale Dubai. As part of Guruvandana programme, Roopa Shashidhar and Shilpa Siddalingesh, who offered services as teachers at Kannada Paata Shaale free of cost, were honoured with ‘Dashakada Shikashaki’ award. Shikshana Kausthubha award was presented to Manasa Naveen Hegde, Manjula Prakash Bagi, Deepa Somashekhar Tejaswi, Vinutha Suresh Masoor and Bindu Madevappa Koppala, who served for more than four years as teachers without any pay. The rest of the 11 teachers were honoured with Varshada Shikshaki award.
Special invitees on the occasion, Dr Frank Fernandes, Harish Bangera, Abdul Latif Mulki, Mallikarjuna Gowda, Suchit Kumar, Harish U P, Eshwaridas Shetty, Uma Vidhyadhara, Balakrishna Salian, Meghna, Sagar Shettar, Dr Rashmi Nandakishore, Monika Mandanna, Sarvothama Shetty, Satish Poojary, Rajesh Kuthar, Shodhan Prasad, Sugandaraj Bekal, Kiran Gowda, Nityananda Beskoor, Irshad Moodbidri, Vasudeva Shetty, Siddesh Gowda, Satish Hegde, Vishwanath Shetty, Manujanath Swamy and chiefs of organizations distributed certificates to children.
Representatives of all pro-Kannada organizations of UAE and patrons participated in the programme. School students presented cultural programme that enthralled the audience.
Secretary Sunil Gavaskar welcomed the guests and invitees. Vice president Siddalingesh read the report of one decade of Kannada Kalike of Kannada Mitraru organization. Organizing secretaries Vijaya Kumar gave introduction of the recipients of awards. Santhosh Sriharsha presented bird’s eye view of community service of the organization.
Organizing secretary Banu Kumar provided complete information on the computer and other equipment donated to Kannada medium schools by Kannada Mitraru right from 2019 under the Chathura Shaala project ‘Kadalacheyim Karunadige’. The programme was compered by Kayva Yuvaraj, Bindu Mahadev and Chethana Gavaskar.
Treasurer Nagaraja Rao rendered vote of thanks. The programme was telecast live throughout the world on the social media website of Kannada Mitraru UAE. All media friends of UAE were presented with mementos.