Rons Bantwal

Daijiworld Media Network – Bangkok

Bangkok, Sep 19: Symbolizing international friendship, peace, and cultural exchange, the 51st International Cultural Festival and Cultural Exchange Programme was grandly held on Saturday, September 13, at the Emerald Banquet Hall, Holiday Inn, Bangkok, Thailand.

The festival was jointly organized under the auspices of the Indo-Thai Friendship Club, Manjunath Education Trust, International Cultural Festival Council India, and Genesis Ultima, Dubai (UAE). The event was inaugurated with the lighting of the lamp by Dr Maheshwar Shivacharya Swamiji of Nandipura, Harappanahalli taluk, Vijayanagar district.

In his address, Dr Shivacharya Swamiji said that a large number of Buddhists across Asia live in peace and harmony, which reflects the great contribution of Lord Buddha’s message of peace. He emphasized that with compassion, the world can truly be won, something evident in the lifestyle of Thailand’s people.

Ajata Shambhilinga Shivacharya Swamiji from Hosahalli, Andhra Pradesh, delivered a spiritual discourse. Distinguished guests included Ajarn Paul Narol, president of Paul Narol Academy, Bangkok; Chinmaung Mang Kot, human rights activist, Bangkok; Satoshi Ishii, CEO of TMD, Japan; and manager Nobu Takahashi.

The programme was presided over by Dr E Anjaneya, excise contractor from Raichur. Engineer K P Manjunath Sagar, president of the International Cultural Festival Council India, in his introductory speech, said the organization has been promoting Kannada language and culture worldwide. He noted that the council has successfully organized over 17 World Kannada Conferences and 51 International Cultural Festivals across more than 50 countries, providing an international platform to over 5,000 artists and resource persons from Karnataka.

During the event, noted writer S Ranganath from Oman launched his English work Beyond the Horizon, published by Dr K B Nagoor, President of Nagu Education Trust, Vijayapur. Dr Nagoor remarked that reading and writing are powerful tools of knowledge acquisition.

Among the distinguished attendees were Mallikarjun Yandigeri, former president of Vijayapur District Literary Council; Vinay Rai, former president of the Thai Kannada Balaga, Bangkok; Dr M A Mummigatti, president of Genesis Ultima; Dr Archana Athani, writer and poet from Belagavi; and Dr Dodappa Poojari Hundekal, social worker and youth leader, along with many others.

Special honours were conferred at the event: the Golden Couple Award was presented to Dr E Anjaneya, E Nagalakshmi, K D Chandramouli, and M K Mrudula couples. The Golden Iconic Award was presented to Dr Maheshwar Swamiji and Dr Prashanth from Mysuru.

The cultural segment featured a comedy performance by Kogali Kotresh from Kudligi, poetry recitation by Dr B N Horapeti, founder-president of Hybrid News, Koppal, and classical and semi-classical dance presentations by Aarthi Suresh, Amulya Sujith, and their Bengaluru-based team.