Pics: Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai (SP)
Mumbai, Dec 12: Karnataka Chief Minister, D V Sadananda Gowda (DVS), hailed the Bunt community for conserving the refinement, customs, and traditions inherited from the ancestors, and continuing to practice them even after shifting their bases to Mumbai. “Bunts are in general, maintain self-respect, and put in hard work. Wherever they live, they come up in life by not losing heart and working hard,” he noted.
He was speaking after participating as the chief guest, at the sixth anniversary function of Mulund Bunts on Saturday December 10 evening at Mahakavi Kalidas Hall in Mulund (west) in the metro. Gowda was not deterred by the protests and opposition expressed to his visit by the Shiv Sena activists.
The function was presided over by Nagriguttu Vivek Shetty, president of Mulund Bunts. Nitte University vice chancellor, Prof M Shantaram Shetty, and working president of All Cargo Global Logistics, Shashikiran Shetty, were the honorary guests. All of them joined in lighting the lamp as a mark of inaugurating the function.
The policemen provided tight security to the hall because of the security concerns created by the anger expressed by Shiva Sainiks against what they term as statements made by Karnataka leaders against Marathi-speaking community of Belgaum. DVS, who arrived at the venue with a delay of nearly three hours, was received by the audience with aggressive applause. DVS was welcomed with Aarati, and felicitated.
“The Tulu-Kannadigas have always have a strong sense of belonging to their language and culture. They should lead a model life and have ideal thinking towards building the society, state, and the country. Being good individually paves way for stronger society. I invite you to point out my follies if any, towards becoming more efficient in discharging my duties,” Gowda said.
Dr Shantaram Shetty, in his address, noted that Bunts have since times unknown, been land lords and leaders in rural places. “In spite of the fact that Bunts have progressed by spreading their presence to foreign countries and bigger cities, surveys have mentioned about the presence of uneducated and homeless people among the Bunts. We should come to their rescue. We should shun the bad systems like dowry. Let organizations like Mulund Bunts pave way for the creation of an ideal society,” he wished.
Shashikiran Shetty and Nagriguttu Vivek Shetty too addressed the gathering. On the occation, Sadananda Gowda felicitated outgoing president of the organization, Aikala Harish Shetty, Bansuri Ratnakar Shetty, Sudhakar Hegde of ‘Suyog’, Nagriguttu Vivek Shetty, his wife, Sandhya V Shetty, and their children, Varsha Vivek and Varna Vivek. Karnataka Coastal Development Authority chairman and former minister, B Nagaraja Shetty, leading statesman, M D Shetty, Sudhakar Y Shetty of ‘Aahaaar’, sandalwood music director, Gurukiran, Bunts Sangha Mumbai president, Shankar B Shetty, Bombay Bunts Association president, Ratnakar V Shetty, ‘Jawaab’ president, Raghu L Shetty, Anand P Shetty, Sadanand Poonja, Dr Prashant Marla, Charan Singh Safra, Mahesh Shetty of Mahesh Tutorials, Balakrishna P Bhandary, Chandrashekhar R Belchada, Vinay Manohar Madvi, Tonse Jayakrishna Shetty, Prakash B Bhandary, and many Bunt leaders were also honoured. Mementoes were handed over to talented children.
Joint secretaries of the organization, Prabhakar N Shetty and Anant K Adyantaya, joint treasurer, Hemant V Shetty, deputy working president of womens’ wing, Sarala R Shetty, secretary, M Mamata M Shetty, treasurer, Meenakshi R Shetty, joint secretary, Soni R Shetty, joint treasurer, Roopa J Shetty, and various heads of committees were present at the dais. The cultural programmes, organized under the direction of working president of women’s wing, Sujata K Shetty, and vice president, B Srinivas Shetty, were presented by Rahsmi Adyantaya and Sugriya V Shetty.
Vinoda R Chowta rendered the prayer. Secretary, Palimar Vasant N Shetty, presented the annual report of the organization. Convener, Suresh B Shetty, welcomed. Vice president, Dr Satyaprakash Shetty, treasurer, K Jaya Sooda and former secretary, L Prakash Shetty, introduced the guests. Teacher, B Ramachandra Rao Bantwal, Bhaskar Kukkuvalli, and Harish Vasu Shetty compered the meeting programme. B Srinivas Shetty proposed vote of thanks.
A variety programme of dances, cultural, and entertainemtnprogrammes including a Tulu comedy mini play, ‘Gamatmini Kendardam’ were presented on the occasion.