Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal
Bantwal, Sep 13: The 75th birthday of former minister B Ramanath Rai will be celebrated with a series of social initiatives, including scholarships for 75 children, support for children with special needs, the planting of 75 saplings and a mega health camp, with Prof Tukaram Poojary describing the celebrations as the best tribute to Rai’s public service.
Speaking at a programme to release the logo of the B Ramanath Rai 75th Birthday Celebration Committee and launch its series of programmes, Poojary said Rai had imbibed the qualities of a socially committed personality like Devaraj Urs.
He said Rai’s service to society, particularly his consistent response to the needs of people from different sections, was noteworthy. Bringing everyone together to recognise and honour his personality and social service through a meaningful 75th birthday celebration was a fitting tribute, he added.
Committee president Chandraprakash Shetty, who presented the proposal, said Rai’s social service was highly significant and that the committee had decided to mark his 75th birthday in a special manner to recognise his socially oriented work.
The celebrations will feature scholarships for 75 children, support facilities for children with special needs, planting of 75 saplings, the release of Rai’s autobiography and a mega health camp, besides several other social programmes, Shetty said.
Speaking later, B Ramanath Rai expressed his gratitude for the love, trust and affection shown towards him by the people.
“I will always remain indebted to you for the affection you have shown towards me,” he said.
The programme was attended by Fr Victor D’Souza, M S Mohammed, Ashwani Kumar Rai, working president Padmashekar Jain, Mamatha Gatti of the Cashew Development Corporation, Shalet Pinto, Lavanya Ballal, Mallika Pakkala, Chandrashekar Bhandary, Abbas Ali, Balakrishna Anchan, Sudeep Kumar Shetty, Baby Kundar, Mustafa, Haida Suresh, Lavina Moras, Jayanthi Poojary, Shahul Hameed and Umanath Shetty.
Committee convener Pius L Rodrigues welcomed the gathering, Baby Kundar proposed the vote of thanks, and Balakrishna Alva compered the programme.