from Ronald D F D’Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Bahrain (GA)
Bahrain, Oct 25: The Bunts Bahrain celebrated their 5th Annual Day on Friday October 24 at the Indian Club premises. Ex-Supreme Court Judge and Karnataka Lokayukta N Santhosh Hegde was the chief guest on the occasion.
Hegde arrived at the venue at 7:30 pm and he was greeted with Poornakumba Swagath by the Bunts ladies at the entrance.
Programme started at sharp 7:45 pm with a hymn by Prathima Arun Shetty. Sushmita Shetty and Sujoythi took charge of the evening’s programme in Tulu, Kannada and English. A classical dance was performed by Prajvita P Shetty and Kavya Shetty which was choreographed by Sujyothi Shetty.
Typical Bunts band was organized and Vithal Shetty conducted the music. Various dances were performed by the members and their families which were choreographed by the Bunts ladies. The performances were well appreciated by the audiences and were applauded.
Pradeep Kumar Shetty welcomed the audience and requested Jinraj Shetty, the president of the Association to escort the Indian Ambassador H E Balakrishna Shetty and Lokayukta Justice N. Santhosh Hegde to the stage for honouring. Justice Hegde gave a small speech on the occasion. He said that unlike in the past when Bunts were known for their agricultural Guttu tradition have come a long way and are now actively associated with politics, medical, education, industries and hotel business and have carved a niche for themselves.
Speaking about his career as Supreme Court judge he felt sad that now justice is marred by corruption, recently held in Punjab, Delhi and North India. Speaking about his Lokayukta role he said he will try level best to reduce the corruption amongst government officials and to bring about good governance in the state. He said that three judges belonging to Bunt community have been appointed to Supreme Court by the government of India. He reiterated that the present generation should never forget their roots and make it a point to converse in Tulu as and when possible.
Later H E Balakrishna Shetty delivered a short speech and emphasized that India is a democratic country and one must respect and value the traditions. He called upon the young generation to fight corruption and become good citizens of India, if India has to become a super power. Balakrishna Shetty praised all the local artists for the wonderful stage performance. He was accompanied by his wife Vasundhara Shetty Later on the dignitaries were honoured with shawls and mementos.
The evening’s attraction was Ganesh Dimahi, a Kannada/Hindi dance choreographed by Hema Shetty. Several members of the association participated in it. This was followed by a Tulu skit, Traditional Bunts House-Warming by the members followed by Bhoota Kola, which was directed by Vithal Shetty.
Programme came to a grand end at 11.30 pm.