Dubai: UAE Chapter of KVGCE Sullia Alumni Launched

Shodhan Prasad
Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai
 
Dubai, May 27: KVGCE Sullia Engineers' Alumni UAE Chapter was officially launched in the UAE at a glittering programme at Crowne Plaza Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai on Friday May 25, with day-long event.

It was a grand inaugural programme with the launching of website and logo. It was a unique opportunity to catch up with old friends, recall old memories, revisit lost loves, and reconnect with old buddies.
 
KVG College of Engineering is one of the reputable engineering colleges in Karnataka. The engineering college, started in 1986, was one of the first private sector initiatives in technical education in Dakshina Kannada district. Popularly known as KVGCE, it is located in Kurunjibhag, Sullia, Dakshina Kannada, and is one of the largest mega educational complexes in the country. KVGCE is affiliated to Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), Belgaum, and approved by All India Council for Technical Education AICTE (New Delhi) and has ISO 9001-2000 certification.

Former students of the College residing in the UAE gathered in Dubai in the year 2003 to form an alumni association in the UAE. This was the first-ever association of old students of KVGCE outside India and the first members were Anil Mathew, Boris Joseph, George Thomas, Josh Prakash, Retty Rajan Dani, Santhosh Samuel, Satish and Sujith Chanda.
 
On May 25, the programme started with a warm welcome and chit chat with the members at the entrance and registering of names, collecting badges etc.
 
Three well-known MC's of UAE - DJ's Hansraj, Charu and Kris - were then introduced to the audience by Rakesh Mathew who took over the stage and welcomed the guests.
 
Padmashree Dr B R Shetty, MD and CEO of NMC Group of Companies was the chief guest, while M P Singh, consul, Indian Consulate, Dubai, Rizwan Sajan, CEO of Danube Group, Sudhir Shetty, CEO of UAE Exchange and Ria D'Souza, cine actress and Zee TV anchor were the guests. They were escorted by Asha, Leesha, Snehal, Dilsha and Jibi on to the stage and honoured with bouquets.

Association president Guru Prasad Aithal opened the programme with a welcome speech, followed by the traditional lighting of the lamp by the chief guest and other dignitaries on the dias. After a slideshow presentation, M P Singh inaugurated the logo on the logo board. All the guests spoke briefly on the occasion and congratulated the alumni on their launch in the UAE.
 
Dony, general secretary of the association read out the report highlighting the activities of the past. The website was launched by Rizwan Sajan of Danube and briefly explained by by Kris. Though the principal of KVGCE could not attend, he sent his message which was broadcasted through web media on the screen.
 
Sudhir Shetty of UAE Exchange along with actress Ria D'Souza released the newsletter/members directory. President Guru Prasad handed over mementos to the guests, followed by vote of thanks by Jathin.
 
A mind-reading show was presented by Praveen, followed by a welcome prayer by Abhirami. It was delightful to watch a slideshow collection of memories of yesteryears in college and all the ex-students burst into laughter looking at themselves. Interestingly, the nearby police station was also shown, with a mention that some of the alumni had paid a visit there.
 
MC DJ Charu took over the next session with Hansraj and Kris which started with a theme 'Which batch was the best and why', interacting with the audience for their response which had many gifts as spot prizes. Many of the ex-students came up with their views stating 'ours was the best' and so on. Finally, the best batch answers were identified and honoured with a gift, while other participants were also presented with gift hampers from Americana.
 
Ladies wing of the Alumni presented a scintillating group dance for a Hindi number, which received thunderous applause from the audience. Ammu then presented a graceful semi-classical dance 'dheem thanana dheem', followed by a song by Rajesh.
 
DJ's Hansraj, Charu and Kris auctioned bat and ball signed by the legendary Sunil Gavaskar in the presence of actress Ria D'Souza. Many of enthusiastic members put in their bids.

Madhav and Reshma presented a cinematic duet performance followed by a Malayalam song rendered by Anil R. Ryan Biju presented a break dance followed by a Kannada dance by Ananya and Ahalya. Neha Nisha presented a Bharatanatyam performance followed by an English song by Rosmin Jerin. Sneha Siju's dance number was followed by a Malayalam duet song presented melodiously by Ammu and Rajesh. Rayna Roopak then presented a dance number which was appreciated by the audience.
 
MC Charu conducted a spot game on ragging incident followed by a song by Krishna. Scripted by Charu was a best SEA couple of the year contest, wherin five couples were chosen randomly and asked questions on the stage. The best part of it was the couples dancing along with actress Ria for a random song, nicely presented and performed boldly by the participants. The best couple was identified and honoured.
 
Later, Jeen played on drums, following which was an interaction round with couples married from Sullia and conducted by MC Charu. It was nice to see a dance performance by mother and daughter duo Preetha and Swetha. Next was a question time with Kris which was really interesting.
 
Max - Riyaz and team presented a skit while Charu and Hansraj presented 'Sullia Shaktiman' which was mind blowing.
 
At the end was a mega raffle draw conducted by Kris, Charu and Hansraj followed by memento distribution to the sponsors and executive members. In the afternoon was a wide spread sumptuous buffet lunch in between the programme and audience grabbed the food and sat in their seats to have a glimpse of the continuing programme.
 
Late in the evening was the closing ceremony with slide presentation prepared by Dony and played by Biji who was assisting with it all through. Jyotsna and Manoj thanked the audience at the end.