Mallige Kannada Balaga: Spreading Fragrance of Karnataka in Mauritius

Media Release

Mauritius, Sep 15: The management committee members of Mallige Kannada Balaga, Mauritius, greeted Indian minister for corporate affairs, Dr Veerappa Moily and his wife Malathi Veerappa Moily in Mauritius on Wednesday September 14.

Management committee member Muralidhar Shenoy presented a bouquet to the minister and general secretary of the association Gauribidanur Rajashekara presented the credentials of Kannada Balaga to Moily and a memento to Malathi Moily.

Kannada Balaga in Mauritius was established in the year 2006. Its member meet every second Sunday of the month. There are more than 50 Kannadiga families in Mauritius, with some of the individuals working in the government of Mauritius, banks, IT sector and several hundred in textiles and construction sectors.

The association was formed by like-minded Kannadigas who felt the need for a platform to meet and organise cultural activities and exchange views. Sri Sri Sri Shivaratri Deshikendra Swamiji, president of JSS Mahavidyapeetha blessed the Balaga.

One of the projects the Balaga plans is to hold awareness campaigns on the rich heritage and culture of Karnataka in Mauritius and thereby to promote Karnataka tourism. This will also enable business houses in Karnataka to explore opportunities in Mauritius. The Balaga also celebrates important festivals like Karnataka Rajyotsava, Independence Day, Republic Day and Gandhi Jayanti.

Mallige Kannada Balaga was formally registered on October 18, 2010 under the Republic of Mauritius.

The members appealed to Dr Moily to support their organisation and said that a similar request was also made to the government of Karnataka.

Dr Moily was pleased to learn about the existence of Kannada Balaga in Mauritius and conveyed his best wishes to the association and its members. Dr Moily also assured his help to the Balaga as and when requested.