Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal
Bantwal, May 19: The Dakshina Kannada District Garage Owners’ Association (R), representing Mangaluru and Udupi districts, is gearing up to celebrate its 25th annual silver jubilee (Rajata Sambhrama), annual general meeting, and oath-taking ceremony of the new office-bearers on Sunday, May 24.
The day-long event will be held at the Sparsha Kalamandira in B C Road.
Morning session: AGM and oath-taking ceremony
The formal proceedings will commence at 9:30 am with the 25th annual general meeting and the installation ceremony of the newly elected office-bearers for the terms 2026-27 and 2027-28. The session will be presided over by the current president of the Bantwal zone, Sudheer Poojary.
Prominent personalities, including Shashidhar Pai of Maroor Motors, Mangaluru; labor inspector Lavina D'Souza, Bantwal; Rajesh Mendon of Sai Oil Centre, B C Road; and Yogish of G L Enterprises, Mangaluru, will attend as guests of honor.
Dinakar Kulal, district president of the association; Janardhana Attavar, president of the D K District Garage Owners’ Souharda Co-operative Society; and J Pundalika Suvarna, director, will also grace the occasion.
During the morning session, veteran mechanics from the Bantwal taluk and outstanding achievers will be felicitated. Additionally, a talent awards ceremony (Pratibha Puraskar) will be conducted to honor the children of association members and garage workers who achieved more than 85% marks in the 2025-26 SSLC and second PUC final examinations.
Evening session: Stage program and Tulu drama
The silver jubilee stage celebration will resume at 6:00 pm under the leadership of the newly elected president for 2026-28, Ganesh Suvarna Thumbe.
An array of political and social leaders will attend the evening program as chief guests. The list includes U T Khader Fareed, speaker of the Karnataka legislative assembly; Captain Brijesh Chowta, MP, Dakshina Kannada; Rajesh Naik Ulippadiguttu, MLA, Bantwal; Kishore Kumar Botyadi, MLC; B Ramanath Rai, former state minister; and Nalin Kumar Kateel, former MP.
Other dignitaries, including astrologer Anil Pandit, Dr Rameshananda Somayaji of Somayaji Hospital, progressive farmer Prakash Karanth, and Bantwal Urban Development Authority president Baby Kunder, will also be present.
As part of the cultural entertainment, the acclaimed 'Kalasangama' troupe will perform a unique Tulu drama, 'Shivaduthe Guliga', at 7:00 pm. The play is directed by the renowned theatre personality Vijay Kumar Kodialbail. The cultural segment of the event is sponsored by Rony Fernandes, owner of R D Auto Care, Panemangalore.
The current executive committee members, including general secretary Rajesh Kulal, have requested all members and families to attend in large numbers and make the silver jubilee milestone a grand success.