Report and Pics from Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network – Vadodara (RD/SP)
Vadodara, Mar 18: Baidashree Cultural Centre of Gujarat Billava Sangh, located at Siddi Vinayaka Complex, opposite Alkapuri railway station, here was dedicated to the society on Sunday March 15.
Noted social worker and philanthropist Shobha Dayanand Bontra inaugurated Baidashree Cultural Centre, here on Sunday.
Gujarat Billava Sangh honorary president Bhaktavatsala R Bontra presided over the programme.
All India Billava Federation and Billava Association Mumbai president Jaya C Suvarna was the chief guest of the occasion.
Speaking at the occasion, Jaya Suvarna said, the nation draws its strength from the exemplary unity being practiced by diverse communities living here. Hence, if the local community organizations try to explore and undertake study and take steps, they can preserve our original culture, he opined. Such activites would fine tune the society. The activists of the community organizations will have to work amongst the common folks in order to win over the trust and confidence of all the people living in the society. These organizations should strive to pass on the contemporary traditions that are mostly deep rooted in villages, to the new generation, he advised.
Gujarat Billava Sangh honorary president Bhaktavatsala Bontra said that it is difficult to inspire the younger generation to follow age old traditions and culture in towns and cities. The survival of culture lies in fostering faith in traditional practices. Although the people of coastal Karnataka migrated to Gujarat in search of better opportunities, the culture ought to get its dues. Moreover, if the community is empowered, the rest will fall in line automatically, he felt.
Nasik entrepreneur and social worker Gangadar Amin was the guest of honour.
Bharath Co-Operative Bank (Mumbai) Limited chairman Vasudev R Kotian, Billava Association vice president Y Nagesh, Mumbai High Court lawyer and public prosecutor Rohini J Salian, Karnataka Sangh Vadodara president S Jayaram Shetty, women’s wing president Jayanti Ullal, Tuluver Surat president Radhakrishna Shetty, Bunts Sangh Surat Jayaram P Shetty, Karnataka Sangh Vapi P R Karant, South Gujarat Hotel Owners Association president Arun Shetty, Mumbai lawyer V B Suvarna and Tulu Sangh Vadodara president Sujata K Shetty were also present on the occasion.
Gayatri Parivar Daboy – Vadodara president Prajna, Rashmiben Patel and Gayatri Parivar Daboy Dahisar – Mumbai president Kumari Manjunat Shetty delivered religious lectures on the occasion.