Media Release
Doha, Nov 2: Tulukoota Qatar, a leading associate organisation of the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) under the aegis of the Embassy of India in Qatar, brought together approximately 300 members, including a large number of children, for ‘Bale Tirgare Poyi’, its much-loved annual family get-together. The gathering celebrated togetherness, cultural pride and community spirit, continuing a cherished tradition spanning 26 years.
The day began on an energetic note with an exciting Zumba session led by Shwetha Suvarna, who got members of all ages on their feet and dancing to lively beats. The enthusiastic participation set the tone for a day filled with fun, camaraderie and family bonding.
President Vijay Kumbra welcomed the distinguished guests, including title sponsor Chidanand Naik of M Pallonji, Ganesh Shenoy, past president and chairman of the advisory board Sandesh Anand, and advisors Ramchandra Shetty, Chaitali Shetty and Kiran Anand. The gathering also witnessed the presence of several senior members, including ICBF general secretary Deepak Shetty, founder member Krishna Shetty, Jagdish U S, Prakash Shetty, Uday Shetty, Dhananjay Rai, Anil Shetty, Mahammad Mansoor Imthi, Chandrashekar Shetty, Manoj Shetty, Roshan Shetty, Shrikanth Shetty, member and Billawas Qatar president Sandeep Krishnappa, member and Bunts Qatar vice-president Manoj Shetty among others, along with members of the management committee and their families. The president expressed his appreciation to the sponsors, volunteers and members whose continued support makes Tulukoota Qatar’s activities possible.
Tulukoota Qatar also extended its sincere gratitude to the representatives of various Karnataka-based associations in Qatar for their gracious presence and support. Their participation added to the spirit of unity, friendship and cultural togetherness, making the annual get-together an even more memorable occasion.
Ganesh Shenoy was felicitated in recognition of his generous and continued voluntary service, particularly his contribution towards arranging and serving breakfast at Tulukoota Qatar’s get-togethers for years. His dedication and commitment to supporting the organisation’s activities were warmly acknowledged.
In a special moment of recognition, title sponsor Chidanand Naik felicitated Sandesh Anand, past president of Tulukoota Qatar and chairman of the advisory board, with a gold cufflink in appreciation of his outstanding service, dedication and unwavering commitment to the organisation, particularly during its landmark 25th anniversary celebrations.
A notable highlight of the programme was the enthusiastic participation of young NextGen presenters Anay Girish Puranik and Leisha Anil Shetty, who confidently hosted the proceedings. Adding to this achievement, several children actively contributed by managing the registration desk and assisting with various event activities. Their involvement reflected Tulukoota Qatar’s commitment to nurturing young talent, fostering leadership skills and empowering the next generation to take an active role in the organisation’s future.
Sai Ramchandra Shetty introduced the NextGen initiative, along with its mentors, Deepa Puranik and Chaitali Suhas. He emphasised the importance of empowering youngsters, providing platforms to showcase their abilities and encouraging them to develop leadership skills. The initiative reaffirmed Tulukoota Qatar’s vision of preserving its cultural identity and values while building a strong foundation for future generations.
The get-together offered members a delightful culinary experience alongside a wide range of recreational activities. The day featured a hearty breakfast, authentic Mangalorean coastal cuisine for lunch, and evening tea accompanied by hot chai and crispy bhajiyas. Dinner was also available, ensuring that families could enjoy the day’s festivities with warm hospitality and delicious food.
A special highlight was the gift distribution for all children aged 15 and below, which brought added excitement and gave the youngest members a memorable keepsake from the day. Games and recreational activities for children, youngsters and adults encouraged teamwork, friendly competition and active participation. The grounds echoed with laughter, music and dance as members enthusiastically joined in the celebrations.
The participating teams were named Team SVM – Shanker Vittal Marvels, Team BMS – Ballal Motor Service, Team HMT – Hanuman Motor Transport, and Team CP – Canara Pinto. These names were inspired by the bus transport services historically associated with Tulunadu, which connected the city with other cities and states. The concept celebrated nostalgic memories of the region’s transport heritage, bringing a touch of local history and cultural identity to the team activities.
The friendly competition among the teams added excitement to the day’s programme, encouraging participation, teamwork and sportsmanship. SVM – Shanker Vittal Marvels (Red) emerged as the overall champion, winning first prize and earning applause for its performance across the activities.
Nithin Devadiga, Ranjith Gowda and Swetha Suvarna delivered an informative session on the importance of fitness, offering valuable tips on maintaining good health through regular physical activity and balanced food habits.
The weather added an unexpected twist when the much-anticipated tug-of-war turned into a memorable, rain-soaked sporting experience. Undeterred by the rain, participants continued with enthusiasm, transforming the occasion into one of the most memorable moments of the get-together.
Another major highlight was the announcement of Gobbuda Isira, Tulukoota Qatar’s upcoming mega sports festival scheduled across late November and December 2026. Members were briefed on the forthcoming sporting extravaganza, which aims to bring members together through sporting excellence, teamwork and healthy competition.
The official Gobbuda Isira jersey and medals were unveiled during the programme, generating excitement ahead of the much-anticipated event. Reflecting Tulukoota Qatar’s rich sporting history and legacy of championship victories, the jersey symbolises the organisation’s achievements and collective sporting spirit. Every participant in the upcoming sports festival will receive a jersey, making the unveiling an important milestone in the lead-up to the event.
Sandesh Anand, chairman of the advisory board, acknowledged the many individuals who contributed to the success of TuluSiri and Tulukoota Qatar’s silver jubilee celebrations. Members who played active roles in the 25th anniversary events were invited to collect tokens of appreciation in recognition of their valuable service, dedication and contributions to Tulukoota.
The successful execution of the get-together reflected the collective efforts of Tulukoota Qatar’s leadership, management committee, volunteers and members. Joint cultural secretary Sumanth Shetty and treasurer Manjappa Karigar served as emcees for the day, alongside Chidananda Rai. Sports secretary Shoukath Ali and joint sports secretary Rostan Dsouza coordinated the games and sporting activities, while cultural secretary Mahalakshmi Vittal managed the day’s proceedings.
Joint general secretary Sanjay Jathan, logistics secretary Raghavendra Anchan and membership secretary Lokesh Salian coordinated logistics and food arrangements. Vice-president Pravina Shetty and general secretary Supriya Bhat oversaw the overall coordination of the event, ensuring its smooth execution.
Special appreciation was extended to Umesh Acharya and Manoj Acharya for their media coverage and support, and to TKQ member couple Manish and Sahana for preparing the evening tea-time snacks, adding a thoughtful touch to the day’s hospitality.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by general secretary Supriya Bhat, who expressed heartfelt gratitude to the advisors, sponsors, representatives of Karnataka-based associations, volunteers, sports team, games coordinators, NextGen presenters and all members and families who contributed to the event’s success. She acknowledged the collective dedication, generosity and enthusiasm that made the gathering a memorable celebration.
‘Bale Tirgare Poyi’ once again reinforced the values that have sustained Tulukoota Qatar for 26 years: togetherness, cultural pride, voluntary service and the active involvement of younger generations. The event concluded with cherished memories and renewed enthusiasm for the organisation’s upcoming activities, particularly the much-anticipated Gobbuda Isira sports event.