Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai (SP)

Mumbai, Oct 21: Scholar and veteran journalist, S K Haleangadi, said that ‘Akshaya’ monthly being brought out by Billavar Association here has always been a mature and complete magazine. Recalling that he had become a life member of the magazine even before it came into existence, he expressed happiness at the honour bestowed upon him by inviting him to release the special issue of the magazine being brought out on the occasion of the 24th anniversary of the monthly.

 “But for community-based associations from Karnataka, Kannada would not have survived in Mumbai. ‘Akshaya’ has traversed beyond the community boundaries, and has emerged as a monthly for all the Kannadigas. Editorial board of the monthly deserves kudos for this effort,” he said.

He was speaking after releasing the birth anniversary special issue of ‘Akshaya’ at a function organized on Tuesday evening at Sri Guru Narayana Hall of Billava Bhavana in Santacruz (East) here.

Billavar Association president, Jaya C Suvarna, presided over the function. Dayanand Bontra, president of Gujarat Billavar Sangha, inaugurated the function by lighting a lamp. Former editor of ‘Buntara Vani’ monthly, M N Rao Baroda, and working president of  Bharat Cooperative Bank, Vasudeva R Kotian, were present.

In his address, Bontra appreciated ‘Akshaya’ for bringing to light several hidden talents. He wished that the circulation as well as number of readers of this monthly magazine will rise, with the help of activists and writers like M S Rao from Ahmedabad, who have been tirelessly working for popularizing this monthly.

Ratnakar Shetty, recalling the early days of the magazine, informed that he too had contributed to choosing the name, ‘Akshaya’ for this magazine. Guests, Vasudeva R Kotian and M S Rao, extended best wishes to the monthly. S K Halenangadi honoured the editorial board of the magazine by presenting bouquets to its members. On behalf of the magazine’s governing council, he honoured the monthly’s editor, Dr Eshwar Alevoor, who secured his doctorate recently.

Judges of ‘Akshaya’ contest, B S Kurkal, Srinivas Jokatte, and Vivek S Shanbhogue, apart from Karnataka Sangha Mumbai honorary general secretary, Dr Bharat Kumar Polipu, as well as M S Rao, who added highest subscribers for the magazine, were honoured on the occasion. Honorary chief editor of the magazine, M B Kuckian, explained about the growth of the magazine over the years, and thanked everyone who was instrumental in its progress.

In his presidential address, Jaya Suvarna said that the magazine has been working as a bridge between Tuluvas and Kannadigas, besides being the mouthpiece of the association. He expressed happiness at the fact that the magazine has been emerging as a valuable publication that is working for Kannada land, language, literature, and culture.

Vice-presidents of the association, L V Amin, C T Salian, working president of women’s wing, Jayanti V Ullal, members, Mahesh Karkala, Jayaram G Nayak, and Kavita V Jain, were present at the dais. Jyoti K Suvarna, honorary general secretary of the association, welcomed. Editor, Eshwar Alevoor, and assistant editor, Harish K Hejmady, and board member, Gangadhar Paniyoor, introduced the guests. Executive editor, Nityanand D Kotian, presented the programme. Satish N Bangera proposed vote of thanks.