Rons Bantwal

Mumbai, Dec 30: After organising a wide range of religious, cultural, literary, tourism and sports events over the past year to mark its centenary in a meaningful manner, the BSKB Association concluded its centenary celebrations at a grand function held on Sunday, December 28, at Shanmukhananda Sabha Bhavana, King’s Circle. The programme began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by association president Dr Suresh S Rao and other office-bearers.

The main event of the meeting, held under the leadership of vice president Y Mohanraj, was the presentation of the prestigious Gokula Ratna award by the Sanjeevani Charitable Trust to Dr Suresh S Rao, president of the BSKB Association and Gopalakrishna Public Trust. The award was conferred in recognition of his multifaceted personality and immense contributions to society and the association.

Dr Rao, a Karnataka Rajyotsava award winner, philanthropist and widely respected social figure, has rendered significant service in social, religious, educational, medical and cultural fields, earning widespread appreciation both in his birthplace and place of work. At a time when the reconstruction of the dilapidated Gokula building was considered impossible, he spearheaded a monumental effort that resulted in the construction of a seven-storey Gokula complex and the architecturally rich Sri Gopalakrishna Temple, with the cooperation of association members and devotees, thereby making a major contribution to society.

The Gokula Ratna award was presented to Dr Suresh S Rao and his wife Vijayalakshmi S Rao by the vice president, honorary secretary, office-bearers, executive committee members, trustees of the Gopalakrishna Public Trust and members of the religious committee. The couple was honoured with a traditional peta, shawl, bouquet, citation and mementoes. Other dignitaries were also felicitated on the occasion.

Responding to the felicitation, Dr Suresh Rao expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the office-bearers and executive committee members who stood by him during his tenure as president. He also honoured former vice president Vaman Holla, former treasurer Haridas Bhatt, honorary secretary Ananth Padmanabha Pothi, Jagadish Acharya for his contribution to the centenary souvenir publications, and Sudhakar Acharya for his support in organising cultural programmes, by presenting them with shawls.

As part of the cultural programme, Bollywood Beats and popular film songs were presented by emerging Indian Idol singers Chaitanya Devde, Rishi Singh, Shanmukhapriya and Manasi Ghosh, which enthralled the large audience gathered at the auditorium.

Association vice president Chitra Melmane welcomed the gathering and compered the programme, highlighting the journey of Gokula over the past 100 years and detailing the various programmes organised by the association during the centenary year. Jagadish Acharya read out the citation and conducted the proceedings, while honorary secretary A P K Pothi proposed the vote of thanks.