Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Oct 4: In a vibrant celebration of Kannada culture, the Hrudaya Vahini silver jubilee and the inaugural non-resident Kannada conference took place at the Ravindra Kalakshetra in Bengaluru.
The event was inaugurated by former chairman of the Kannada Development Authority, Prof S G Siddaramaiah, who highlighted the group’s remarkable 25-year journey of promoting Kannada across 45 countries.
The conference was presided over by Sarvottam Shetty, president of the Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha. Among the attendees were notable leaders such as V T Srinivasa, former president of the Singapore Kannada Sangha; Aravind Patil, former president of the Qatar Kannada Sangha; and Ravi Shetty, current president of the Qatar Kannada Sangha, Dr Usha Kolpe from the USA; Mitan R Jayaram Rai from the India Social and Cultural Center in Abu Dhabi; and S D T Prasad, president of the Muscat Kannada Sangha.
Prof Siddaramaiah emphasised the importance of cultural connectivity, stating that the Hrudaya Vahini group has become a significant ambassador for Kannada culture on the global stage.
The event also featured the prestigious ‘Nava Karnataka Ratna’ awards, recognising outstanding contributions from various fields. Honourees included prominent figures from Kannada associations in Muscat, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore, showcasing the global reach of the Kannada community.
The awardees included:
V T Srinivasa (Singapore Kannada Sangha)
Aravind Patil (Qatar Kannada Sangha)
Dr Usha Kolpe (USA)
S D T Prasad (Muscat Kannada Sangha)
Mitan R Jayarama Rai (India Social and Cultural Center, Abu Dhabi)
Lakshmi Krishnamurthy (USA)
Dr Satyavathi K R (USA)
The following dignitaries were present: Lakshamma, secretary of the Non-Resident Kannada Cell; Dr P Krishna, honorary secretary of the Bengaluru Sheshadripuram Education Trust; Dr S Ramanuja, joint commissioner of the Commercial Taxes Department; Ashraf Shah, president of Eden Global School; Mohammed Rafi Pasha, director of the Advisory Committee; and trainer Rafiq Master from Athuru.
Adding to the festive atmosphere, comedian Mahadeva Sattgiri entertained attendees, while K P Manjunath set the tone with his inaugural address. The event not only celebrated achievements but also reinforced the unity and spirit of the Kannada diaspora, making it a memorable occasion for all involved.