Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, Feb 6: The two-day mega national convention of Bunt community, organized under the aegis of International Bunts Welfare Trust, was inaugurated by Dharmadhikari of Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala Dr D Veerendra Heggade at Town Hall here on Saturday February 6.
Prior to the programme, a grand procession showcasing the richness of the Bunt culture was held from University College, Hampankatta to the venue.
Addressing the gathering after the inauguration, Dr Heggade said, "In the field of art, culture and agriculture, Jains and Bunts have progressed hand-in-hand. The Bunt community has also inherited leadership quality and contributed to all the fields, be it social, business, politics or religion. The women in the community are also forward.
"The community has come so far because it has followed the motto 'whatever we do, we should succeed'. Even if you see history, people from this community sacrificed themselves for great causes and led from the front. There are people from this community wherever you go. They have been able to achieve success because they complete their tasks with utmost responsibility," he said.
"People from Bunt community pay special attention to preserving art, culture and religion. The future generation should carry this quality forward. Community leaders should guide their youth in giving importance to the fields of agriculture, art and culture. This is a community which has concentrated on agriculture out of its love for the soil. In the coming days, the community should give more importance to health and education sectors. The problem of dowry in the community has reduced and social change has taken place. Though the younger generation is westernizes in appearance, they should be traditional in approach and give importance to agriculture and activities that help in preserving the culture of this land," he advised.
N Vinaya Hegde, chancellor of Nitte Deemed University released 'Sadashaya' tri-monthly magazine on the occasion.
In his address, Vinaya Hegde said, "The Bunt community has given respect, honour, privileges and also good position and status to women. The betterment of a community lies in the empowerment of the women in the community. The future generation should given importance to preserving the culture, art and enterprising nature of this community. Though we may be modern, our mindset should be such that we focus our attention on preserving the culture, art and traditions of our land."
Sri Gurudevananda Swamiji of Shree Kshtetra Odiyoor said, "The Bunt community is renowned for giving qualitative leadership. When agriculture and spiritualism are given more importance, culture will also be preserved, which in turn will lead to the development of the nation. Empowerment of community is possible when there is unity. Culture can be preserved only if language is preserved."
Dr D K Chowta presided over the programme.
Actor Prakash Raj, music director Gurukiran, Sri Rajashekharananda Swamiji of Gurupur Vajradehi Math, Sarvotham Shetty, president of UAE Bunts, Sadananda Shetty, chairman of INBWT, Myna Sadhananda Shetty, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, Erya Laxminarayana Alva, Prakash Shetty of MRG Group, Dr Vishwa Santosha Bharathi of Barkur Bunts Mahasamsthana and others were present.