By Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network—Mumbai (RD/CN)

Mumbai, Feb 2: The diamond jubilee celebrations of metro-based Rajapur Saraswat Sangh were held at Guru Ganesh Prasad hall of GSB Seva Mandal, Sion, on Sunday January 30.

Rajapur Saraswats reside in greater numbers in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts and are traditionally agriculturists. A few of them migrated to the metro in search of a better future and gradually settled down. The community formed the Sangh 60 years ago with the aim of sustaining their distinct traditions and customs, helping brethren succeed in gaining employment, supporting the education of economically-weaker but talented students, and for their societal progress.

Sangh president Prabhakar D Borkar presided over ‘Rajapur Saraswat Sangama – 2011’.

Metro-based R S Co-operative Bank chairman Kacheri Sadanand D Nayak, women’s wing president Smitha V Patkar, Shwetha M Nayak, youth wing secretary Varadaraj V Nayak, Panvel Sadanand Nayak, Rajesh Nayak, Suma V Nayak, Gururaj Kamath, and Sunitha Kamath were present on the dais.

Prabhakar Borkar presented ‘Saraswat Sangama’ special awards to Udupi municipal commissioner M Gokuldas Nayak, Udupi Urban Development Authority commissioner Ramanand Nayak, Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy member B Pundalik Marate Shirva, and social activist Raghunath N Nayak during the programme.

Elderly community members Chandrahas Salonkar, Subraya Wagle, Hariyappa Nayak, Keshav Wagle, and Saraswati Borkar were honoured on the same occasion.

Ramanna Shevde, Pooja Kamath, Sanjay Patkar, and Sadanand D Nayak introduced them. Rama Nayak Kalwa welcomed the gathering. Ramanna Shevde proposed vote of thanks awhile Sanjay Patkar compered the programme.

Variety cultural programmes were held throughout the day on Sunday by the members of the Sangh and their children.