News and pics: Rons Bantwal

Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai (EP)

Mumbai, Feb 20: “It has become difficult to run Kannada medium schools in undivided Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts which are termed as most literate districts. Kannada students have become less in those
districts. In that, running a Kannada medium school and college in a Marati dominated area such as Chembur in Mumbai by the association for the last fifty years has made me astonished and proud,” said globally recognized eye specialist and Prasad Netralaya Udupi director Dr K Krishnaprasad.

The programme was held at Chembur Ghatla Village's Karnataka High School premises on Sunday evening February 15. Earlier, Karnataka Sangha president Jaya N Shetty, who presided, lit the lamp and
inaugurated the programme.

Dr Krishnaprasad, chief guest, who had provided more than five lacs free eye treatments said that he is surprised by the activities of the association, organized efforts and strength. He handed over a cheque
for Rs 2 lacs on the occasion as his contribution to the assoication. He assured that he will provide free treatment at his Udupi clinic for those in the association who are suffering from eye problems. He presented the annual national Kannada Rathna award for 2015 to the managing editor of Taranga and Thushara magazines Dr Sandhya S Pai.

Dr G N Upadhya, head of the department of Kannada in Mumbai university who had arrived as guest of honour gave a lecture on late Subbayya Shetty and said language is an important tool. We are forgetting the culture and sensibility behind a language in between modern living. This should not occur. Chembur Karnataka Sangha has immensely contributed to the growth of Kannada culture, he said.

The president and office bearers presented Y G Shetty excellent teacher award to Sadashiva Shetty couple, late Subbayya Shetty honour to Dr G N Upadhya, Arate Nagamma Sheshappa Poojary memorial award to
Yakshagana artiste T R Shetty couple and Journalist Dayasagar Chowta on the occasion.

Chembur Karnataka Sangha has given importance to literary and cultural programmes and will be doing so in the future too, said Jaya Shetty in his presidential address.

Association vice president advocate H K Sudhakar, honorary chief secretary Gunakar H Hegde, treasurer Yogesh V Gujaran, joint secretary Ranjan Kumar R Ameen, joint treasurer Sudhakar Anchan, past president
Prabhakar Bolar and other office bearers were present.

Office bearers of the association working committee members Vishwanath S Shenava, Devadas K Shettigar, Sundar N Kotian, Madhukar G Bailur, Mohan S Kanchan, Raju B Sanil, Chandrashekar Anchan, Jaya M Shetty,
Sanjeev Shetty, hundreds of Tulu Kannadigas and others were present.

Dayasagar Chowta introduced the guests and awardees. Honorary chief secretary Gunakar H Hegde proposed vote of thanks. National award winner Jnana Aithal led Mangaluru Hejjenada troupe presented music and dances.