by Ronald D’Souza and Joe Andrade
Daijiworld Media Network - Bahrain
Bahrain, Feb 6: On the evening of 4th of February, the elite Kannadigas gathered at the Bahrain Kannada Sangha premises to felicitate Nagaraja Shetty on his first visit to Bahrain.
Shetty spoke in chaste Kannada to the audience who gave their rapt attention. In his talk, he reminded us the President of India’s vision and called upon all Indians to work to make his dream to see India emerge as a global economic power by the year 2020 by ensuring good education to every single Indian, employment to every unemployed Indian and most importantly upliftment of the 25% now below the poverty line. He once again invited all to invest in their homeland and assured all assistance and guidance to any Non-Resident India requesting it. Shetty himself promised to share and interact in any possible way he could and requested to put forth bright ideas and tangible suggestions for his consideration.
Shetty broke the news confirming that the first direct Bahrain - Mangalore economic flight by Air India Express would commence on 25th March, 2007, to the thunderous applause of the audience.
There was a wee question-answer session at the end of his talk, which he tackled humorously in his inimitable style and ease. Leeladhar Baikampady then presented a Memorandum on behalf of all Indians with a dire request to the Chief Minister of Karnataka through the good offices of Shetty to address various housing problems and red-tape faced by NRIs particulary those returning to India on completion of their employment. Shetty promised to take up the matter with the Chief Minister and others concerned in the Ministry on his return to Bangalore and come back with solutions to all the issues raised.
Kamalaksha thanked Nagaraja Shetty for his visit to the island and the keen interests and efforts he will be making to address the plight of Indians away from their homeland.
“Kudlotsava 2007” brought forth another VIP from the “Kudla” belt, Karnataka Government’s Minister for Fisheries and Endowment, Nagaraja Shetty, to the isles of Bahrain, on a three-day private visit. The second leg of the vibrant Kudlotsava cultural program took place under the auspices of The Palace Hotel on 3rd February from 8.30 p.m. with felicitations, drama, sing-song and dance with all its color and grandeur and organized by the doyen of organizers, Anand Lobo.
Austin Santosh, welcomed Nagaraja Shetty and the audience to yet another Kudlotsava 2007 entertainment. Blossom Fernandes, wife of the Union Minister of Labour & Employment, Government of India, was also present on the occasion along with son, Oshun Fernandes. Sakaram Bejai, Proprietor of Maruti Plastic Industry, Mangalore, a close associate and friend of Nagaraja Shetty was also introduced to the audience. Sakaram, gave a brief introduction of Shetty and spoke of his meteoric rise from a successful businessman to the Minister’s berth on his inaugural stint as a Karnataka MLA. Nagaraja Shetty is also a District-in-charge Minister, looking after the interest of Mangalore. And, rightly so to his interests, the typical Mangalorean program “Kudlotsava 07” in Bahrain, beckoned him.
The Ambassador to Bahrain, Balakrishna Shetty, also graced the occasion along with other dignitaries.
Nagaraja Shetty, in his address to the audience, highlighted the roles played by various Indian communities and thanked all for making him feel very much at home. Speaking in Kannada, Tulu and English he took the opportunity to invite citizens of the Mangalorean soil to invest in their native homeland and assured them of all possible assistance in suggesting business opportunities and various avenues of investment options in Karnataka. He praised Lobo’s organizational capabilities in the making of “Kudlotsava 2007” and pointed out that Mangalore too earlier had Kudlotsava and Karavali Utsava. Very soon, he confidently said, there will be the dawn of the day when “Bharath Utsava” would also take place where all the States of the Indian Union would participate with their respective cultural programs.
Shetty confirmed that the Mangalore-Hassan-Bangalore train service would be flagged-off from March onwards and a direct flight from Singapore to Mangalore was on the cards. He noted with pride the giant strides made by Karnataka’s Major Sea Port, New Mangalore Port and mentioned that it was the most profitable Port in India.
Nagaraja Shetty was then given a standing ovation and applause when he went on to display his singing talent. He sang “Akashave Beelalimeley….” in all its original taste!
The Ladies Throwball tournament winners were congratulated and their trophies given by Shetty. The children’s games medals and honors were given by Blossom Fernandes.
This was followed by a Cultural Program capably anchored by Sahail Ahmed of the Namma TV fame. Claud and Anita Samson entertained the audience with Tulu, Kannada, Konkani and Byla songs. The famous Bejai “Harry’s Band” once again performed on the sidelines of the show and on stage with their typical bugle renditions. Another highlight was the superb performance by the Thannir Bhavi Yuvaka Mandal troupe with their drum-beating dance performance.
It was a wonderful program appreciated in total by the audience who had something unique to take home with them memorably in terms of entertainment
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