Media Release
Dubai, Mar 24: Sandhya Creations Event Network Team’s (SCENT) own brand event has been conducting successfully for the past three years in Dubai associating most of the community groups of Mangaluru/Karnataka in Dubai and witnessed by thousands of Kannadigas/Tuluvas with increased numbers year after year recording a history in the UAE. SCENT came on beating their own record from year 2022, 2023 & 2024 with the record number of Tuluva audience not only attending the event but also indulging them to the fullest throughout the event.
It’s truly remarkable how SCENT has built such a strong platform for the Kannadiga and Tuluva community in Dubai! Their consistent growth and record-breaking audience participation show how deeply these events resonate with people.
‘Aatidonji Dina’ is an event which not only preserves and promotes cultural heritage but also strengthens community bonds through religious harmony. Most of the multi-community faiths join together in this event which itself is a unique. The combination of health awareness, traditional presentations, and ethnic food must make it a unique and enriching experience for attendees.
This year’s ‘Aatidonji Dina 2025’ is being fixed for Sunday the September 14 in Dubai which will be a whole day event. This was chosen unanimously by all community leaders and announced during a ‘Lunch with community leaders’ held on March 22 during the luncheon at Aavri Hotel, Deira, Dubai in the presence of Praveen Kumar Shetty, president of Bunts UAE & president of Karnataka NRI Forum UAE, James Mendonca, president of Mangalore Konkans, Supreeth Ganiga, president of Ganiga Samaj UAE, Eshwar Belki, president of Ramakhatriya Sanga, Dr Rashmi Nandakishore, president of Vokkaligara Sangha Dubai, Sandeep Kotian, president of Biruver Kudla, Satish Ullal representing Billawa Family Dubai, Dayanand Hebbar, representing Brahmana Samaj Dubai, Vishwanath Shetty representing Gammath Kalavideru, Kishore Kumar Kanchan representing Mogaveers UAE, Sudarshan Hegde representing Amchi Friends, Rajesh Udupi representing Udupi Balaga and Vijith of Biruver Kudla, Ramesh Ganiga of Ganiga Samaj & Nikhil of Vishwakarma Seva Samiti. Sugandhraj Bekal of Marghadeepa was unable to attend but confirmed their participation during the event, Shashidhar Nagarajappa, president of Karnataka Sangha Dubai, Sarvotham Shetty of Karnataka Sangha Abu Dhabi, Ramachandra Hegde of Amchigele Samaj, Sahebans UAE & Beary’s Cultural Forum & few other community leaders were not able to attend but some of them have expressed their support. SCENT members, Nityanand & Kiran Beskoor, Sudarshan & Veena Hegde, Pramod Kumar & Reshma Pramod, Ashok Bailur, Kiran Kottary, Manoj Poojary, Sandeep Shetty & Sandhya Prasad were present.
Shodhan Prasad welcomed all the leaders and expressed gratitude to all community leaders and their members for being part of ‘Aatidonji Dina’ event all these years. He said that this is an event which started jointly with Fortune Group of Hotels in their premises and later due to the increased numbers of attendees had to shift the venue to a larger space premises. But and now again because of the large number of attendees witnessed last year we have to choose a new bigger venue for this year. It’s incredible to see how ‘Aatidonji Dina’ has grown year after year, requiring larger venues to accommodate the increasing number of attendees. That’s a true testament to the event’s popularity and its impact on the community.
Praveen Kumar Shetty, president of Bunts UAE & Karnataka NRI Forum spoke on the events success every year and suggested bigger venue this year. He confirmed his support during his speech and said this is one unique program by SCENT which has gained popularity worldwide. He shared one example where some visitors mentioned that they had been part of the event in Fortune Hotel premise during their visit. He also announced the Bunts UAE World Event this year under his leadership during November 2025 and requested all the Communities to diary the date and attend the event.
Dr Rashmi Nandakishore also spoke on the occasion and expressed her happiness and experience on the past events of ‘Aatidonji Dina’ she had attended. While confirming her support she also announced and invited all the leaders and their members for the forthcoming annual program of Vokkaligara Sangha Dubai in April, 2025 at Gems School, Dubai.
James Mendonca’s appreciation highlights the deep community connection SCENT has built over the years. His suggestion for both physical and financial support makes a lot of sense larger venues and growing audiences require more resources, and collective contributions from different community groups can make a big difference. He added, with leaders like Alwyn Pinto and Mangalore Konkans closely involved, it’s clear that this event is not just a celebration but a joint effort to uphold cultural heritage this time too.
Eshwar Belki’s perspective is truly valuable cultural events like ‘Aatidonji Dina’ play a crucial role in passing traditions down to the next generation, especially for children growing up away from their homeland. These events help them stay connected to their roots while building a sense of belonging within the community. His emphasis on financial support and sponsorships is also important. As the event keeps growing, sustainability becomes a key factor. Structured sponsorship plans in place for businesses or individuals contribution will help. Maybe a patron or donor programme will encourage the organizers.
Kiran Rao Achar of Vishwakarma Seva Samiti also confirmed their support and participation and said this event is one such we love to participate with full enthusiasm along with their team members. It's wonderful to see Vishwakarma Seva Samiti and leaders like Kiran Rao Achar actively supporting and participating in ‘Aatidonji Dina’ with enthusiasm! The unity and collaboration among different community groups truly make this event special.
Dayanand Hebbar of Brahmana Samaja who are the winners almost every year and who were the ‘Rolling Cup’ winner of last year said that they are proud to be associated with this event and their females members are very much actively waiting to participate this year too. That’s amazing! The Brahmana Samaja must have a strong and enthusiastic team to be the Rolling Cup winners last year and their continued participation and the excitement among their female members show how deeply involved and passionate they are about ‘Aatidonji Dina’.
Satish Ullal of Billawa Family Dubai also expressed his happiness and said last year they were not able to participate due to some emergency but this year will definitely participate. He reminded of one of the previous events of Nama Tuluver in 2018 wherein there were more than 30 stalls similar participation and Billawas won the best stall prize.
Vishwanath Shetty of Gammath Kalavidaru also spoke on the occasion sharing his views and experience. He also shared some advises on the date and venue while expressing his happiness on such type of unique event organized by SCENT.
Kishore Kumar Kanchan of Mogaveers also spoke and confirmed their participation and said that these kinds of event are really necessary to keep up our cultural and practice. This event specially emphasizes the importance of preserving culture and traditions. He also said that last year they have participated with full vigor and had many special varieties displayed which were appreciated by all.
Sandeep Kotian of Biruver Kudla also said that they have been witnessing the ‘Aatidonji Dina’ every year and are happy to participate this time too.
Rajesh of Udupi Balaga also extended his support this time too and said that they will challenge the cup this year.
Participation certificates for those participants of ‘Aatidonji Dina 2024’ were distributed individually inviting them on stage and was presented by Praveen Kumar Shetty.,
Shodhan Prasad indicated the venue and said there will be more meetings in the coming months with the community leaders jointly in detail so that we can together make the ‘Aatidonji Dina 2025’ also a successful programme. He thanked all the community leaders and their continued support in sharing their advises and being physically part of the organizing team to host such a wonderful event jointly.
Concluding Sudarshan Hegde conveyed the vote of thanks to all the community leaders for being present during the luncheon and meeting. Also, he thanked all the communities for their overwhelming support all these years and also showing their support for this year’s Aatidonji Dina 2025 event too.