By Wilson Saldanha, Shirthady 
Daijiworld Media Network—Kuwait (CN)

Kuwait, Dec 18: For the first time in the history of Tulu Koota Kuwait (TKK), voting was held for the post of vice-president. In TKK’s decade long history, office-bearers had been unanimously selected every year.  

The voting was held till 1.00 pm on Friday December 18 at United Indian School Auditorium- Abbassiya after strict checking of membership status and identity proof.

Only active members who had renewed their membership for the year 2009 were eligible for voting and there was no chance of renewing the membership on the spot.  

TKK’s two time vice-president Suwarna Chandrahas Shetty was unanimously selected president for the year 2010.  Incidentally, she is also the wife of former president Chandrahas Shetty. 

Pascal B Pinto’s 60 votes to his rival Tharendra Shettigar’s 53, ensured that he emerged vice-president creating history in the process.  This year’s election was considered significant as TKK is completing 10 years and there will be a series of celebrations in 2010.

The election of the new management committee was conducted very smoothly by returning officer Sachidananda Suvarna.  

Other management committee members elected unanimously are Sathya Narayana Salian (general secretary), Agnel Saldanha (joint secretary), Vishweshwara Karkala (treasurer),  Mark Pinto (internal auditor), Suresh Salian (culture secretary), Mohammed Iqbal (sports secretary),  Ramesh Kidiyoor (welfare officer) and  Chandrahas Shetty (public relations officer). 

The new office-bearers were invited to introduce themselves. 

President Suwarna Chandrahas Shetty in her speech expressed her thanks to the outgoing committee members for making Tulu Koota Kuwait as successful as it is today. 

She welcomed the newly-elected members of the management committee and assured that they aimed to continue the good work in networking, enriching, and bonding the rich culture and people of Tulunadu.

The cultural activities presented by TKK child artistes and members enthralled the audience. The programme was beautifully hosted by Govinda and came to an end with lunch.