Report : Shodhan Prasad
Pics by Prakash Dsouza

Dubai, Dec 3:  Sahebaans UAE, a premier organisation for the Urdu speaking Muslim community from the twin districts of Mangalore & Udupi, celebrated a grand social get-together followed by gala dinner at Jumeirah Ball Room of Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dubai on 1st December 2012 from 6.30 PM onwards. The event sponsored by the Sahebaan business community, UAE turned out to be a grand success witnessed by more than 700 community people from all over UAE, neighbouring GCC countries, special guests from India and leaders of various Community Organisations in the UAE.

Dignitaries and eminent personalities from both Sahebaan and guest communities graced the function. Padmashree Dr. B.R. Shetty, Grand Patron of UAE Kannadigas was the Chief guest. Janab Hidayatulla Abbas, Patron of Sahebaan UAE presided over the function flanked by Janab Syed Khalil, Group Director, Jashanmal Gulf and Janab Siraj Ahmed, Chairman & MD Inland Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd, Mangalore. Janab K.S. Nissar Ahmed, Patron of Sahebaan UAE could not attend the function due to exigencies but sent in his best wishes message.

The guests of honour included Mrs Yasmin Ahmed, Former Chairperson, Public Service Commission, Tamil Nadu and Member, Central Wakf Council  India, Mr. Sarvotham Shetty, President  Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha and U.A.E Bunts, Mrs. Sylvia Pais, Principal  International Community Kindergarten, Abu Dhabi, Mr. Mohammed Ali Uchil, President  Beary’s Welfare Forum, Abu Dhabi, Rtn. T.S Budan Basha, Chairman  Wakf Board, Udupi Dist. They were all felicitated with flower bouquet, shawl and memento on the stage.  Althaf M.S. initiated the felicitation proceedings in the presence of Janab Afroz Assadi, Convener of Sahebaan UAE.  The names of special invitees / dignitaries from various communities were announced and welcomed.

After an initial round of meet and greet, the function started off with reading of verses from Holy Quran by Master Abdul Mannan, which was followed by a welcome speech by Syed Siraj Ahmed, who briefly dealt on the rich culture, tradition and achievements of Sahebaan community members. He also exerted the need to preserve the identity of Sahebs while maintaining harmony with other communities & faiths.
Janab Hidayatulla Abbas in his address stressed upon the need for women education and empowerment, goodwill and harmony amongst all communities and faith  and urged the Sahebaan community to work on the objective of “Each One Teach One”.

Dr. B.R. Shetty reminisced the camaraderie and harmony that prevailed during the good old days back home and praised the contribution of Sahebaan to the society and nation.  He further urged the youth to strive hard and achieve success through optimum use of resources and opportunities presently available.

Mrs Yasmin Ahmed in her thanksgiving speech briefed on the various Indian government schemes available for the welfare of minorities and women and urged Sahebaan to make best use of such schemes. Mr. Sarvotham Shetty highlighted the need to maintain social ethics and values amongst all communities to build a stronger society and nation. Janab Budan Basha also stressed on the need for communal harmony and goodwill with all communities.

Suhail Kudroli conducted the felicitation of sponsors. The mementos to sponsors were presented by Althaf Khateeb, Mohammed Asif, Ajmal, Mohammed Yunus, Habibulla Mulky, Zubair Aziz and Mohammed Aslam.

Alma Banu spoke on ambitions of young Sahebaan women and called upon them to draw inspirations from role models within the community for self-advancement.

Shodhan Prasad, Convener of Nama Tuluveru UAE was honored on this occasion for his contribution for the success of Tulu Parba and efforts towards bringing the communities together.

Renowned sufi singer, Adil Hussaini mesmerized the crowd throughout the evening with his ‘sufiana kalaam’ and held them captivated with his performance. The whole audience were singing and humming along with the Adil and were pouring requests for more and more from the great disciple of legendary Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan who sang some of the best chosen melodies.  Later Adil was honoured with flower bouquet along with his accompaniments in tabla, harmonium, organ and drums.

Another entertainer was Nagesh Kumar who entertained the audience imitating the Bollywood legendary actors Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor with his mimicry act.

The very famous Sahil Zaheer, a fellow Sahebaan and a hugely popular stage & radio artist from Mangalore, compered the entertainment program for the evening and enthralled the crowd with his wit and humour..

The children’s program was managed by Parvin Assadi, Parveen Siraj, Sahara Asif, Reena Althaf & Asmath Ara Ajmal, Aliya Assadi and Safaa Asif.

The function concluded at around 1 PM with raffle draw and vote of thanks. .

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