Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Feb 29: Prominent Billawa leaders were present at the inaugural of Billawas international cricket tournament when it went underway at Mulky on Saturday February 27. The two-day tournament, held in the Vijaya College ground, was organized by Billawa Kreeda Samiti with the coming together of various organizations from the country and abroad, which are involved with serving the cause of Billawa community.
The inaugural was chaired by honorary president of Billawa Kreeda Samiti and president of National Billawas Federation Mulky, Jaya C Suvarna. Managing director of Hotel Deepa Comforts, Ramesh Kumar, lighted the lamp, former working president and current director of Bharat Cooperative Bank, Vasudeva R Kotian, hoisted the sports flag, while entrepreneur, Chandrashekhar S Poojary Wadala released bunches of balloons in the air to give official inauguration to the event.
Ganesh A Bangera of G B Construction was the chief guest of the event, while head of Vijaya College, Shameena Alva, president of Gokarnanatha Temple Trust, H S Sairam, president of Lord Vishwanatha Temple Trust Katapadi, Ashok M Suvarna, founder president of Gujarat Billawa Sangha, Mohan C Poojary, president of Akhil lBharat Billawar Union, Navinchandra D Suvarna, president of Billawa Jagruti Balaga Mumbai, N T Poojary, and former president of Billawar Association Mumbai, L V Ameen, were chief invitees.
"All the Billawas in the world are bound by common blood relationship. Therefore, they share common and cordial relationship. At present, Billawas are equipped with valour as well as money power. Most of the girls from the community have good educational background. Therefore, Billawas have prospered in all fields. But we should not differentiate people on the basis of their statuses. Because of negative understandings, our relationships would have become weak in certain cases. This is not an ideal time to show off the physical prowess once exhibited by our legendary heroes, Koti and Chennaya. Our young generation should discard the attitude of getting involved with aggression, physical fights, angry revenge, and show of muscle power. They need to concentrate their energies for the betterment of our community," Ramesh Kumar advised after inaugurating the event.
Jaya Suvarna expressed the opinion that Mulky, which is a convergence nine ancient families, has alwlays been proved auspicious, and the Lord had repeatedly proved this fact. He recalled that Goddess Durga had blessed Koti and Chennaya in Mulky while Bappa Beary was graced by her at Bappanadu here. "Billawas should have cordial coexistence. Unity is strength, and this tournament represents collective will of the community to come together. This is the place which handed over leadership to Billawas. Billawas should hold on to their unity and become role models to the next generations. "We should march forward socially, economically, and academically, and with social service initiatives,should earn respect and awe of the entire society," he said.
Preident of Billawas Dubai, Satish Poojary, Guru Seva Samiti Bahrain Billawas president, Raj Kumar,Oman Billawas Muscat president, S K Poojary, Billawa Sangha Kuwait president, Chitrek Bangera, Gujarat Billawa Sangha president, Dayananda Bontra, Yuva Vahini central committee Mangaluru president, Santosh Kumar, Narayana Guru Yuva Vedike Mangaluru president, Lohit Kumar, Billawara Parishat Udupi president, Shekhar Karkera, All India Billawa Ekikarna Samiti Mangaluru president,Ravi Poojary Chilimbi,and Nutan Suvarna Pune were the dignitaries present.
The programme began with the prayer offered to all the gods and Daivas of Tulunadu by Chitra Suvarna and Sugandhi Satish. Karnataka state films award winner and president of Bilawa Kreeda Samiti, Rajashekhar R Kotian Mudarangady, welcomed. Kreeda Samiti working president, M Chandrashekhar Suvarna, delivered introductory address. Convener, Bipin Prasad Mulky, general secretary, Vijaykumar Kubevoor, treasurer, Harishchandra Ameen Katapadi, organizers, Surendra A Poojary, Harish G Ameen, Srinivas R Karkera, Bhaskar M Salian, Urmila Ramesh Kumar, Dinesh Ameen, Chidambar Heraje, and Nilesh Poojary Palimar handed over bouquets to guests as a mark of honour. Joint convener of Kreeda Samiti, Narendra Kerekadu, introduced the guests and presentd the programme. Billawar Association Mumbai president, Nityananda D Kotian, proposed vote of thanks.
Harish Shanthi Hejamady performed puja to Brahmasri Narayana Guru at the shrine set up at the tournament venue. The tournament began with eulogies addressed to Koti Chennayaand Kantabare Budabare. The first match of the tournament was between Akhil Bharat Billawar Union and Billawa Jagruti Balaga Mumbai. Honorary president, Jaya Suvarna, handed over mementos to guests, umpires, Ronald Pinto, Ibrahim Udupi, Sulaiman Katapadi, and Rajesh Mulky. Vijay Kumar Kuvevoor gave detailsof the tournament.
The services offered by 30 army captains of Billawar Association Mumbai in maintaining disciple and order at the venue came in for allround praise. In the evening, 'Brahmasri Narayana Guruswamy' Tulu movie which was produced and directed by Rajashekhar R Kotian, and which had won award for special social concern of Karnataka in 2014, was screened.