Rons Bantwal

Mumbai, Aug 31: “Only when there is dedication and devotion in serving our ancestral place and Garodis do we receive the divine grace and blessings of the deities. A Garodi is not merely a place of worship; it is a centre of strength that preserves the culture, traditions, customs and unity nurtured and carried forward by our ancestors. Therefore, only when all of us set aside differences and engage in the service of the shrine together can we ensure the welfare of our land and future generations,” said Nithyananda D Kotian, president of the Tonse Sri Brahmabaidarkala Pancha Dhumavathi Garodi Seva Trust, Mumbai.

He was speaking after presiding over the eighth annual general meeting of the TSBBPD Garodi Seva Trust, Mumbai, based in Tonse, Udupi district, held at the Club House auditorium of Saliteri Corporate Park in Andheri East on Sunday evening.

He said serving through the trust for the development of the Garodi was itself a blessing and an opportunity to serve.

Trust vice-presidents D B Avin, C K Poojary and Vishwanath Tonse, honorary secretary Sanjeev Poojary Tonse, joint secretary Karunakar B. Poojary and joint treasurer Vijay Sanil were present on the dais. Nithyananda Kotyan inaugurated the meeting by lighting the lamp along with the office-bearers, after garlanding the idols of Sri Brahma Baidarkala and Koti Chennaya and invoking the auspicious blessings of Brahmashri Narayana Guru.

“Our Garodi has a history of 500 years. Money is not important to us; what matters is the feeling and devotion. When we undertake any work with a pure heart, divine power, blessings and encouragement come naturally,” Nithyananda said.

He added that, along with worshipping the deities, continuously helping the poor and helpless in society was also a true way of showing respect to the deities. When the mind is pure while worshipping parents as well as deities and gods, dharma and morality naturally remain strong in society, he said, adding that the couples felicitated on the occasion were an example of this.

Trust adviser Soma Suvarna and executive committee members Suresh Anchan, Sadananda B. Poojary, Krishna Palan and Uday N. Poojary, along with women's wing members Heera D Avin and Sulochana R Poojary, among several other members, were present.

Executive committee members Ashok M Kotian, Mridula A. Kotyan, Vishwanath Tonse, C K Poojary and D B Avin shared their views and extended their best wishes for the continued service activities of the trust.

D B Avin (Dayanand Booba Avin), originally from Tonse (Gujjarabettu) in Udupi district and president of Kannada Bhavan Education Society as well as vice-president of the Garodi Seva Trust, and his wife Heera Dayanand were felicitated and congratulated on behalf of the trust by the president and office-bearers on the occasion of their 52nd (Golden Jubilee) wedding anniversary.

Similarly, Dheeraj D B Avin and his wife Shilpa Dheeraj Avin were felicitated on the occasion of their wedding silver jubilee, along with Dheeraj's 50th birthday.

Karunakar B Poojary read out the report of the previous annual general meeting, while Vijay Sanil presented the details of the previous year's accounts. Sanjeev Poojary Tonse welcomed the gathering and proposed the vote of thanks.