Report: Rons Bantwal
Mangaluru, Oct 9: “You cannot teach philosophy to a hungry man. Wherever we are born and raised, the beautiful bond that stays with us forever, even among strangers, is friendship,” said Lt Gen Ambassador Dr David Frank Fernandes, managing director of Mosaco Shipping and Forwarding LLC, Dubai, while presiding over the 2nd Non-Resident Kannadigas and Overseas Kannadigas Conference held at Kudmul Ranga Rao Town Hall here on Thursday, October 9.
He further stated, “Manjunath Sagar has been a bridge connecting such relationships. Friends play a vital role in our lives, and even the Mahabharata emphasizes the importance of friendship. Without friends, one is left lonely. The friendship between Karna and the Kauravas is a great example. Just as one’s mother and homeland are like heaven, even though I left Karnataka 59 years ago for livelihood, my motherland remains sacred and dear to me. Life lies between birth and death-when our eyes open, we are born; when they close forever, life ends. Let our lives become meaningful and joyous through such conferences.”
The conference was jointly organized by Manjunath Education Trust, Hrudayavahini Karnataka and S K Municipal Employees Union, Mangaluru.
The event was inaugurated by Basavaraj Gurikar, national president of the All India Teachers’ Federation (New Delhi), who lit the ceremonial lamp. Among the distinguished guests were Sarvotham Shetty (Abu Dhabi), D Vedavyas Kamath (MLA, Mangaluru South), Ivan D’Souza (MLC), Radhakrishna T Shetty (president, Karnataka Samaja Surat), advocate Padmaraj R Poojary and Yogesh J Shetty Jeppu (founder president, Tulu Nadu Rakshana Vedike) on the dias.
Speaking on the occasion, Sarvotham Shetty said, "Kannada is a language of love and compassion. It is our duty to preserve this language that always extends help to others. Only then will Kannada Nadu continue to flourish like a divine Kalpavriksha (wish-fulfilling tree)."
During the ceremony, achiever couples Ram K Shirur & Geeta Ram (Kenya, Africa), Radhakrishna Shetty and Usha R Shetty (Surat, Gujarat), Dr David Frank Fernandes and Alice Fernandes (Dubai, UAE), Prof M B Kudari and Mahananda Kudari (Gokak) and N P Suvarna and Prabha Suvarna (Mumbai) were felicitated with the 'Golden Couple Award.'
The 'Golden Iconic Award' was presented to Dr Catherine Dinesh (Hubballi), Avinash Babu N (Bengaluru), Shivaraj B Pandeshwar (Mangaluru), Basavaraj M (Maldives), Mohammed Iqbal (Mangaluru) and Prof Sanjeev Nayak (Lucknow, UP).
Prayers were led by Anvith Kumar Sivi and Tanushree. Conference chairman Eng K P Manjunath Sagar delivered the welcome address. while Nagaraj Bajal and Pratibha Salyan compered the event, and Shivaraj Pandeshwar proposed a vote of thanks.
The Talent Felicitation Ceremony was presided over by Dr C Somashekhar, former chairman of the Karnataka Border Area Development Authority. Distinguished guests included Mittampady Jayaram Rai (Abu Dhabi), Chittaranjan Bolar, Manjunath Revankar (Kannada Sahitya Parishat), Pradeep Kumar Kalkoor, Yadupati Gowda, Bharadwaj (Omega), Doddappa Poojari Undekall (Yadgiri) and Ratna Kallegowda (Canada) who honored the meritorious achievers. A poetry anthology "Antarbhava" by Madhura Moorthi was released by Dr C Somashekhar.
A poets’ meet was chaired by Prof Prabhuling Dandin (Goa), with participation from Jossy Pinto (Kinnigoli), Veeraj (Kasargod), Savita (Srirangapatna), Naveen Periera (Surathkal), Prabha Suvarna (Mumbai) and Radhakrishna Uliyadka, among others.
The event also featured a written quiz, dance performances by Gyan Mandara Teachers’ Training Centre (Mudipu), and a musical extravaganza by Revansiddh Pulari of Zee Kannada Sa Re Ga Ma Pa fame. Comedian Mahadev Sattigeri, renowned for his international performances, entertained the audience with humorous skits. The cultural evening showcased traditional drum and horn performances by Gana Mayura troupe, western dance by Mandara Institute (Mudipu) and colorful Yaksha Chiguru dance by teams from Adyalu, Ajjilu Mogaru Sarapadi and Manasa Nritya Team, Uppinangady. The programme concluded with a grand music and dance finale, symbolizing unity and pride among Kannadigas worldwide.