Mangalore: Dr B R Shetty, others honoured at Alva's Vishwa Nudisiri-Virasat

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (DV)
Pics: Jivendra Shetty

Mangalore, Dec 21: Day three of the ongoing Alva's Vishwa Nudisiri-Virasat 2013 at Moodbidri was a special one as recognition was bestowned on those who had enriched Kannada literature and spread its culture far wide in the cities, states and countries they reside in.

The felicitation ceremon was held at Ratnakarvarni stage at Vidyagiri on Saturday December 21.

The awardees were those who had contributed to Kannada in foreign countries, other states in India and border regions.

Well-known NRI entrepreneur Dr B R Shetty, CEO and MD of Abu-Dhabi based New Medical Centre Group was honoured for his immense contribution and support to the spread of Kannada language and culture in the UAE.

The other awardees were Dr Sumio Morigeri (Japan), Dr Y Rajagopal (America), Amarnath Gowda (Association of Kannada Kootas of America), Talthaje Vasanth Kumar, Dr Thalthaje Vasanth Kumar, Dr Purushotham Billimale (New Delhi), Dr Vysa Ninjoor, Dr GD Joshi, Vijay Kumar Shetty of Kalajagathu, Ramdas Acharya, Ba Samaga, Basavalinga Pattadevaru of Balki Hiremut Sansthana, Mallikarjuna Somashekar Madde, and Swathi from Sneharanga Kasargod.

All of them were felicitated by Dr B A Vivek Rai, president of Alva’s Vishwa Nudisiri-Virasat 2013 and Dr M Mohan Alva, chairman of Alva's Education Foundation.

Addressing the gathering, Dr Vivek Rai said, "Serving Kannada in our home state is no big deal, but contributing to the land of Kannada and serving its literature in alien cities and countries is really commendable."
     
The award carried a cash prize of 25,000.

Government should be fair in implementing programmes: Dr Mohan Alva

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (EP)

Mangalore, Dec 21: "When the government implements laws and programmes, it should ensure that it takes a middle ground that is fair and just, which should be able to guide us," said Dr Mohan Alva, organizer of Alva's Vishwa Nudisiri-Virasat.

Speaking at a discussion programme held at Ratnakaravarni stage on Saturday, he said that criticism has been heard against the event as usual.  He said that such complaints do not discourage him as he has a clear views on caste, creed and religion.  Some people are interchanging the word of society for religion which is not appropriate, he said.

Saying that he does not intend to be a politician, he asked the gathering not to vote for him if even if he were to stand for elections. He added that he has not given undue importance to politics in the programme.

"It is necessary to combine academic studies with sports and culture and such activities will not be an impediment to studies. Activities such as these have enabled the students to be all the more studious and there are instances of students securing more than 90% marks despite actively engaging in other activities.  It is necessary to strike a balance between studies and other activities," he said.

Dr Teejan Bai presented Alvas Vishwa Virasat-2013 Award

On day 2 of the event on Friday, December 20, Karnataka state minister for women and child welfare, and department of Kannada and culture, Umashri inaugurated Alva's Vishwa Virasat programme at Alva's Virasat stage of Vidyagiri.

Noted Pandwani musician, Padmashree and Padma Vibhooshana Dr Teejan Bai was felicitated with Alva's Vishwa Virasat-2013 Award on the occasion.

Minister Umashri lauded the efforts of Dr Mohan Alva in the spheres of literature and culture in the state.  He has a passion in him that inspires others in this field, she said.

She lamented that she could not be present in the celebrations in the past and assured that the government would always be supportive of such programmes.

Dr Teejan Bai acknowledged the honour and said that she was happy that an illiterate and villager like her had been honored. She presented a Harikathe version on Draupadi on the occasion.

Nitte education trust president N Vinaya Hegde presided over the programme. President of the programme Dr B A Vivek Rai, MP Jayaprakash Hegde, minister of youth and fisheries K Abhayachandra, former minister and committee president K Amarnath Shetty, honorary vice president D Surendra Kumar, D Harshendra Kumar, Abu Dhabi’s Sarvotham Shetty, Kannada Sangha Bahrain president Raj Kumar, Germany’s Peter who has been witnessing the Virasat for the last nineteen years and American origin Edwin were present.

Dr Alva said that Janapada has been given prominence during the programme and they are proud to facilitate artiste like Dr Teejan Bai.  Committee secretary Venugopal Shetty conducted the programme.    

Senior achievers in various spheres such as education, literature, research in language, social service and enrichment of the language were felicitated during the programme at Ratnakaravarni stage.  All of them are more than 90 years old.  G Venkata Subbaiah, retired chancellor of Mysore university; Javare Gowda, Scholar of language and Kannada activist;  Kayyara Kinyanna Rai, freedom fighter; Dr Pateel Puttappa, senior journalist and Kannada acitivist, Dr Chennaveera Kanavi; famous poet, Dr Enagi Balappa, Janapada singer and dramatist; Kadandelu Purushotham Bhat, senior Yakshagana artiste and Thimmakka who planted thousands of saplings beside roads and looked after them were jointly felicitated by Dr B A Vivek Rai and Dr M Mohan Alva, president of the programme.  The felicitation included Rs 50,000 cash, a citation and plaque and a cap.

Germany’s Vyuthberg university’s Indalogy seat and German consulate general Hans Gunther Lothsar were felicitated with Rs 25,000 each, a citation and plaque and a cap for their service to the land and language. 

Dr Mohan Alva welcomed the gathering.  Dr B A Vivek Rai congratulated the awardees.