Dubai: Girish Shetty Elected Karnataka Sangha President
Media Release
Dubai, Jun 6: Girish Shetty, a young and dynamic leader, entrepreneur and popular Kannadiga in the UAE, was unanimously elected as the president of prestigious Karnataka Sangha Dubai. He was also the vice-president for two terms (four years) in the outgoing committee of the Sangha.
Karnataka Sangha Dubai, one of the oldest community service organizations with 26 years of history of serving Indian community in general and Kannadigas in particular in the UAE, installed its new team of executive committee members for the term 2011-2013 Saturday June 4 at a function held at Ramee Royal Hotel, Dubai.
Girish Shetty
K R Tantry (Vice President) and Daya Kirodian (Gen Secretary)
K R Tantry, general secretary of the outgoing team welcomed the members and handed over the podium to the outgoing president C R Shetty. Shetty, together with the late Umesh Nathoor, was the driving force to form Karnataka Sangha Dubai in the year 1985. In his address to the members Shetty thanked all the committee members, sub-committee members, other members, donors and Kannadigas in UAE who have extended their support, co-operation and assistance in the last three continuous terms as president, altogether six years at a stretch. He also thanked the members for giving him an opportunity to witness the best moments of receiving Suvarna Rajyothsava Award from the government of Karnataka in the year 2005 on behalf of the Sangha and also the silver jubilee celebrations together with the 6th World Kannada Cultural Convention held in the month of November 2009.
M A Lathif, chief advisor and election officer, Zafarulla Khan, advisor, Sadiq Hussain, advisor and election officer and C R Shetty, president, all from the outgoing committee were present at the venue, giving valuable advice and suggestions to the new team.
Outgoing president C R Shetty thanked the committee members for standing by him in conducting various programmes under Karnataka Sangha, wished the new team and also assured his full support and co-operation in the future. Lathif, a senior Kannadiga and strong supporter of the cause of Kannadigas and Kannada in the UAE gave some very good advice and suggestions to the new team and also wished the team all the success. Zafarulla Khan keenly involved in the process, assuring his full support to the new team. Sadiq Hussain also wished the new team all the success and requested the members to contact them for any guidance or advice anytime.
At the end Daya Kirodian, general secretary of the present executive committee thanked all advisors and committee members, also pledged himself to the community service through Karnataka Sangha Dubai. After the programme newly elected president Girish Shetty hosted dinner for all the members at Ramee Royal Hotel.
The new team is a culmination of experience, dynamism, action and above all dedicated selflessness with a penchant to serve the community with sincerity.
President: Girish Shetty, businessman having business interests in Dubai and India, young and dynamic leader, vice-president for two terms (4 years) in the outgoing committee, was unanimously elected as the president. He is also one of the active members and strong pillars of UAE Tulukoota, Dubai.
Vice-president: Krishna Raj Tantry, served as general secretary for 4 consecutive terms (8 years), a known face in the social service field in the UAE. His ability to organize mega programmes was well appreciated during the silver jubilee celebrations of the Sangha in the year 2009. He is also an active member in Madhwa Sangha and is also the organizing secretary of UAE Tulukoota.
General secretary: Daya Kirodian, served in the Sangha for about 10 years in the executive committee including as sports secretary for one term. He is one of the strong pillars of Karnataka Sangha Dubai, always in the forefront of social or community service. From the day he arrived in UAE in the year 1993, he has dedicated himself to the community service. Kirodian is one of the driving force behind formation of Billawara Balaga, Dubai, also the treasurer of UAE Tulukoota Dubai.
Joint secretary: Sashiraj Nagappa, joint secretary in the outgoing committee has been re-elected as the joint secretary in the new committee. A poet by heart.
Treasurer: Jayanth Shetty, a social worker in the real sense, simple, down to earth and silent worker, served in Karnataka Sangha Dubai for more than 22 years as member, out of which 18 years were as executive committee member without accepting any post or position. A Yakshagana enthusiast, active member of UAE Tulukoota, social service is his hobby, always ready for any community or social service related calls.
Secretary – sports: Manohar Hegde, entertainment secretary in the outgoing team was elected the member-sports committee. A keen darts lover, sportsman with hidden talent in fine arts is the right choice for this position.
Secretary – entertainment: Satish Venkataramana, a member in the outgoing executive committee, businessman by profession, supports many social events in the UAE, can be a real support to Karnataka Sangha in all means.
C R Shetty
Secretary, membership registration: Peer Mohammed and Lawrence Nazreth, both from the outgoing committee were re-elected to the new team. Both are very hardworking, dedicated and selfless social workers on whom the Sangha can rely upon.
Secretary – media and public relations: Kushal Shetty, a businessman by profession, member of the outgoing committee, is one of the senior and experienced members in the social and community service field. Being the founder member of Abu Dhabi Kannada Sangha, UAE Bunts Sangha and active member of UAE Tulukoota since the beginning, Shetty has rich experience of more than 30 years in UAE which can be very well utilized for the benefit of Karnataka Sangha Dubai.
C R Shetty, as immediate past president is by default inducted to the new team even though he was reluctant to come in, but when rest of the committee members and advisors requested, he obliged. His long experience will definitely be a guiding force to the new team.