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Dubai, Oct 5: The officially recognised representative of the Billawa community in Dubai, Billawa Balaga Dubai celebrated its 11th anniversary with unprecedented success. The overenthusiastic Billawa members had worked overtime to make the 11th annual family get-together a most colourful and memorable event. The event which was named Ragini Utsav was a true festival of joy to all visitors.
A houseful crowd at the hall enjoyed traditional celebration of its annual day which truly focused on Narayan Guru's principle 'One Caste, One God and One Religion' as it honoured non-community achiever, Walter Nandalike, founder of Daijiworld.com.
The event started at 11.00 am with prayer, followed by Spectacular Bharatha Natyam by Mrs Kirodian.
Rajkumar, president of Narayana Guru Samithi Bahrain and former president of Karnataka Sangha Bahrain was the chief guest of the event. Manohar Tonse from Billawa Balaga Abu Dhabi was guest of honour.
Ashwin Salian, General Secretary of Billawa Balaga Dubai read out the report on Balaga and highlighted the recently concluded scholarship program in Mangalore along with Akila Bharata Billawa Union and the various benefits the community received from Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa who was the chief guest there. Subsequently Naveenchandra D Suvarna, President of Akila Bharata Billawa Union addressed the large gathering live from Mangalore over the phone and thanked Billawa Balaga Dubai for their support and participation in uplifting of Billawa community. He also read out the various sops that were received which included as below.
- Sanction of 2 acre government land for Billawa hostel at Kunjetabail.
- Grant of Rs 2 crore for Billawa hostel
- Sanction of 100 acre land for Koti Chennaya Park at Karkala district under Billawa trust.
- Grant of Rs 1 crore for development of Koti Chennaya Park with 1 government provided car.
- Reduction of interest on loans to toddy tappers from 12% to 6%
- Compensation of Rs 1 lac to toddy tappers injured during tapping.
- Grant of Rs 3 crore for the renovation of Mangala stadium and laying of synthetic track
All-India Billawa Union president Naveen Suvarna spoke live from Mangalore over the phone and the entire audience listened to him as he thanked Billawa Balaga for its role in supporting community projects. He lavished praises on Billawa Balaga for playing a prominent role in the success of 154th Sri Narayana Guru Jayanthi at Town Hall in Mangalore in the presence of chief minister Yeddyurappa, home minister, other ministers and dignitaries.
Ashok Anchan in his inaugural address hailed Billawa Balaga's unity and commitment in achieving the goal.
Geetha Suvarna, president of Mahila Balaga, in her touching speech explained how the sacrifice of Billawa Balaga members and families in Dubai helps building a better community and reaching out poor and needy. She appealed each and everyone to contribute towards the betterment of community members who are in need.
Walter Nandalike, editor-in-chief and man who is responsible for creating vibrant community web portal which reaches all over the world to lacs of readers by breaking all community barriers was honoured by Billawa Balaga. Incidentally Billawa Balaga became first non-catholic association to honour Walter in public in his last eight year career as media personality. Billawa Balaga founder member Sudhakar Thumbe read-out the citation and senior members of Billawa Balaga draped him with shawl, Mysore Peta before presenting him fruits and memento.
In his address Nandalike thanked the organizers for reaching beyond the community. "This honour will motivate me to work more towards reaching masses crossing the barriers of caste, creed and religion," he added. He congratulated Billawa Balaga for involving itself in charity and social work.
Manohar Tonse, in his short message congratulated all the members of Balaga for successfully completing 11 glorious years and pledged his support to the cause of Billawa Balaga
Rajkumar was also honored for his meritorious service to the community with citation, shawl, fruits and memento. In his address Rajkumar invited entire Billawa community members to join for Gulf-level Billawa event to be held in Bahrain on December 19, 2008.
Billawa Balaga founders Daya Kirodian, Sudhakar Thumbe and Roopa Sanil were also present on the dais.
The august gathering comprising young and old participated in the variety entertainment programmes such as dance, skits, jokes, songs and spot games to make the 11th anniversary of Billawa Balaga more meaningful and enjoyable.
Askok Bailoor was the Master of the ceremony for the entire event and he kept the crowd entertained with witty spot games.
Earlier, the program started with pooja and reciting of the vedic sholka by Sharan Sanil followed by welcome classical dance “Vinayak” by Saritha Kirodian. Solo and group dances were performed by Sameeksha, Anushka Ashok Poojary, Srishti Rachana Anchan (Burami), Shivangi Suvarna, Vedraj Pratap, Kruti Chandrashekar, Pratik, Siddharth, Akhil Anchan, Akshay Amin, Sharan Sanil, Saritha Kirodian, Rashmi, Soni, Harsha Kadri, Sudheer Suvarna and Sunil Udyavara.
Short Tulu comedy skits Doctor Bannaga, Keppe Keriyata, Iteda Samaja and Thempana Sottu were performed by various artist including Narayana Kunder, Karunakar Bangera, Sudheer Suvarna, Santosh Pooary, Sachin Raj, Sudhir Kateel, Thimappa Poojary, B N Naresh, Sunil Udyavara, Ashok Bailoor and Rujiith Kunder.
Mahila Vibhaga of Billawa Balaga performed Punjabi folk dance to the tunes of Jogi Mahe. Participants included Geeta Suvarna, Roopa Sanil, Jayashree Chadrashekar, Sarita Salian, Shalini along with Raghuram Suvarna, Chandrashekar Moodabidre and the young Billawa rockers.
The main attraction of the day was Mangalore traditional shows including Gombe Ata, Kangilu Nratya, Huli Vesha and Yakshagana. Kangilu Nratya was performed under the guidance of H K Madhav who played lead role along with Sudhakar Thumbay. Other participants were Bhaskar, Sachin, Sunil, Sudhir.P, Sudhir. K and Timmappa Poojary
Considering Navratri festival is on in Mangalore, Billawa Balaga ensured that the Huli Vesha is performed before festivity ends on Oct 9, 2008. Huli vesha plays a prominent part in the culture of Mangalore during Dasara only. The Huli Vesha was performed by Home friends Rashidiya and they said that it is insignificant if it is performed after Dasara.
One more attraction was twenty five minutes Yakshagana on the story of Mahishasura played by Nagaraj Poojary, Sandeep Barke, Sudhakar Thumbay and Santosh Poojary. Chidanand Poojary President of Yakshamitra extended his full support to Yakshagana by Balaga from India and said that he will stand by Balaga for all their activities.
Billawara Balaga Abu Dhabi also participated in full strength and performed a comedy skit Ammerega Jora skit. The artists were Pradeep Kirodian, Nagaraj Kotian, Sandeep Anchan, Devdas, Suresh Kotian and Master Abhi. Executive Members of Billawara Balaga Abu Dhabi including Suresh Salian, Dayanand Bangera, Bharat Amin and Shanker Amin were also present along with large number of members with their families for the program.
Flower bouquets were given to Manohar Hegde, Treasurer of Karnataka Sangha Dubai . Prabhakar Ameltare, President of Karnataka Sangha Sharjah, Ganesh Rai, Ex President of Karnataka Sangha Sharjah, Prakash Pereyur, President of Dwani Pratistana and Dhananjay Kanchan, Treasurer of UAE Mogaveeras were also honoured with flower bouquets
Vote of thanks was given by Chandreshekar Moodbidri.