Bahrain: Keralite Community Felicitates B R Shetty
By Ronald D’Souza and Joe Andrade
Daijiworld Media Network
Bahrain, Mar 17: In a crisp but brisk and colourful ceremony this evening, the Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam, felicitated one of the doyen of business enterprises in the U.A.E. and the Pravasi Bharathiya 2007 award winner, Dr. B. R. Shetty, at the Samajam premises.
The occasion co-incided with the commencement of the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of the Samajam along with a number of dignitaries from the Indian community and the gracious presence of the Indian Ambassador to Bahrain, Balakrishna Shetty. Dr. Shetty was accompanied on this trip to Bahrain by his wife Chandrakumari and son, Vinay.
At the beginning of the ceremony, a colourful inspiring 15-minute video presentation on the meteoric rise of Dr. B.R. Shetty, from his humble beginnings at Kaup village to the shores of Abu Dhabi, from the year 1975 when he left Indian shores to date was made for the benefit of the packed weekend audience at the Samajam.
Madhu Madhavan welcomed the gathering and introduced Dr. B.R. Shetty as well as other Samajam dignitaries on stage. G.K. Nair, the President of Keraleeya Samajam, B.V. Radhakrishnan Pillai, Chairman of The Indian School and Soman Baby, Associate Editor of Bahrain’s leading daily newspaper, Gulf Daily News spoke on the occasion and of their cherished acquaintance with Shetty at various levels.
Balakrishna Shetty, the Indian Ambassador to Bahrain spoke citing Dr. Shetty’s iconic example and how in his own personal travelogues of Foreign Service he could visualize “India shining” even beyond their own homeland in the service, scientific and research Indians in every part of the world are endeavouring.
On behalf of the Keraleeya Samajam, The Indian Ambassador presented Dr. Shetty with a memento plaque commending him as an achiever and for the various Awards coveted, particularly for the recent “Pravasi Bharathiya Sanman 2007” award, as well as meritorious service rendered by him in the region and the world at large. G. K. Nair then honored him as one among their brethren by draping Dr. Shetty with a traditional shawl. The audience rightfully gave him a standing ovation in appreciation and a resounding applause as he humbly accepted the honour bestowed upon him with folded hands.
In choice words and in good humor, Dr. Shetty acknowledged and thanked the community members for the accolades and honour bestowed upon him. “Service was his currency”, he said and that he owed it all to a team of dedicated employees who have stood by him and still are carrying on the responsibility and tasks including charitable and road-breaking works. Having known the dignity of labour himself, only had work pays, he said.
The august audience at the premises felt music ringing in their ears when he announced a contribution of BD.25,000/- to the Samajam’s New Building Project and concluded that he wouldn’t stop here but would take part in every aspect of the Samajam’s future development.
Dr. Shetty also mentioned that he would shortly extend his business operations in Bahrain as well, commencing with the opening of a Financial Exchange Company in Manama and diversifying into other fields gradually.
The Vote of Thanks was proposed by Varghese Karakkal, a member of the Samajam Executive Committee, who extended him an invitation to be present at the inaugural function of the Samajam’s new building later this year.
The entire felicitation program was anchored capably and quite humorously by Vani Krishan, an active Samajam member and Bahrain’s Indian Ladies Association fame.