Media Release
Bangkok, Nov 9: Thai Kannada Balaga (TKB), an association of Kannadigas living in Thailand celebrated Kannada Rajyotsava and Deepavali at Marriott Hotel, Sukhumvit Soi 57, Bangkok recently.
The celebration, one of the annual events of TKB, was inaugurated by Harsh Vardhan Shringla, ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Thailand. Shringla talked about the importance of culture and language. He emphasised on the importance of education and skill development which is important to a country like India with large young population. Shringla also congratulated the Thai Kannada Balaga on its active involvement in the activities of Indian community.
Dr Chandrashekhara Damle, an educationalist from Dakshina Kannada district was felicitated on this occasion for his work in uplifting primary and secondary education in Kannada medium. Dr Damle runs a Kannada Medium school in Sullia which focuses on total personality development of children. He is also the recipient of ‘Asamanya Kannadiga’ award given by Suvarna News and Kannada Prabha.
Raghavendra Auradkar, additional director general of police (recruitment and training, Bengaluru was the chief guest of this occasion. Susheel Saraff, president of Saraff group, DCM Abbagani Ramu and Avi Prakash, both from Indian Mission were also the guests of this celebration.
Sreerama K, president of Thai Kannada Balaga welcomed the gathering. Naveen Roshan Pinto, secretary of Thai Kannada Balaga and office-bearers, former presidents Ravi M B, Muthu, Mohandas, Habib, Vinay Rai and Vincy Daniel Pinto and members of TKB felicitated the guests of honour.
The programme started with the prayer by Anagha Lakshminarayana.
Eminent singer Y K Muddukrishna and his team (Kekkeri Krishnamurthy, Shrinivas Udupa and Seema Raikar) entertained the audience with Kannada songs. Nagalakshmi Rao and team from Krishna Foundation, Bengaluru performed several dance forms.
Bharatantyam performance by Vidwan Nagabhushan Rao and team was one of the attractions in the cultural programme.
The children of Thai Kannada Balaga also performed. Lucky draws and fashion show by TKB couples were a major attraction. Sameer Damle and Setu Havanur compered the entire programme.
The programme also provided a platform for all Kannadigas for networking.