Pics: Brijesh Garodi
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (VM)

Mangalore, Aug 19: Billawas Dubai and Northern Emirates in collaboration with Shri Gokarnanatha Kshetra, Kudroli and Shri Guru Charitable Trust distributed scholarships to 224 needy students amounting to Rs 8.5 lac at Shri Gokarnanatheshwara temple, Kudroli here on Sunday August 19.

Janardhan Poojary, former union minister was the chief guest, who inaugurated the programme along with other dignitaries on the dais.

Jaya C Suvarna, president of National Billawa association, H S Sayiram, president of Shri Gokarnanatha Kshetra, Kudroli, Harikrishna Bantwal, spokesperson of National Billawa association, Urmila Ramesh Kumar, hotel Deepa Comforts managing director, K Vishwanath Amin, president of Shri Guru Charitable Trust, Suratkal, Jeethendra Suvarna, president of Billawas Dubai and Northern Emirates, Praveen Kumar Attavar, vice-president, Uday Kumar Kateel, secretary of educational committee and Madhava Poojary were the main guests who shared the dais.

Speaking after the inauguration, Poojary praised the efforts made by the association towards helping the students. He asked students to contribute some part of their income to the needy once they start earning and told them to be grateful to the people who have supported them.

Poojary stressed on the importance of women and said that they should be treated with due respect in all social spheres. Speaking on the recent Padil incident, he condemned it and termed it as a cruel act.

He said humanity comes before any religion but nowadays religion is mixed with politics. He also congratulated the organizers of the programme for creating awareness.

Billawas Dubai and Northern Emirates have been helping students for many years through their scholarship programmes, which is commendable, said J C Suvarna. He asked the students to make the best use of the scholarships.

Along with the scholarships, the association also provided medical benefits to the needy amounting to Rs 2.5 lac, which was distributed by Poojary.

Prior to the formal stage programme, classical dances like 'Bairava Naari' and others enthralled the audience.

Five people were honoured and felicitated in the sports category, namely Mamatha Poojary, Sahana Poojary, Supritha Poojary, Purushotham Poojary and Sudharshan H Udupi.

Jeethendra Suvarna welcomed, Dr Yogesh Karodi compered and Seetharam proposed the vote of thanks.

Ganesh Amin, Ganesh Bangera, Chandrashekar Nanil, Dheera Shanthi Udupi, Sudhakar Kapu, Padmanab Salian, Ramanna Poojary among others were present.