Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru (MS)
Bengaluru, Oct 3: The first-ever NRI Kannadiga convention is set to take place in Bengaluru, aiming to unite Kannadigas living overseas. The event will be held at Ravindra Kala Kshethra on October 4 and 5. At the convention, Satish Kumar Bajal will be honoured with the Nava Karnataka Ratna award for his outstanding contributions to the promotion of land, language, art, and culture through various organizations.
Satish Kumar Bajal, based in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, is known for his round-the-clock availability to assist those in need. He has gained widespread admiration for his social service, particularly in helping NRIs in distress across Arab countries, supporting medical treatment for the financially disadvantaged, and aiding in the education of brilliant but underprivileged students.
Recently, Satish played a key role in arranging an ambulance service for his native village through the local youth organization. He was also instrumental in organizing the 17th World Kannada Convention in Dammam, where he served as the president of the welcome committee. During this event, he was honoured with the Vishwa Manya award in 2024. Satish made history by releasing a Tulu movie and holding its premiere in Saudi Arabia for the first time. Additionally, he contributed significantly to a performance of the Yakshagana play ‘Sampoorna Devi Mahatme/Asura Vadhe’, collaborating with the Kannada Sangha in Bahrain and uniting amateur artists in Saudi Arabia, even taking on the role of Kaitapa in the production.
Satish was also recognized with the 49th Annual Aryabhata International Award in 2024 for his contributions to society and culture. He previously served as the president of the Mangaluru Association in Saudi Arabia (MASA), the chief founder of the Kudla Adventure Cultural Foundation Dammam (KAD), president of the Karavali Manikya Seva Samsthe Mangaluru, and chief secretary of the amateur artists' group in Dammam, among other roles.
In 2021, the Billava Association of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh awarded him the Apathbandhava award for his service during the COVID-19 pandemic. He was also honored with the Masa Man of the Year award in 2019 and the Corona Warrior award in 2021 and 2022 by the Mangaluru Association in Saudi Arabia, Dammam.
Satish Anchan has extended his support to numerous financially disadvantaged families. He is the son of Chandrashekhar Kundar Kodialbail and Sharada Anchan and hails from Pakkaladka Bajal. The youngest of three sons, Satish lost his mother at the age of three and was raised by his grandmother and uncle, Raghava Anchan.
He completed his primary education at St Joseph's Higher Primary School in Bajal, followed by high school at Rosario High School. He pursued his PUC at St Aloysius College and earned his degree from St Aloysius Evening College.