Bantwal: 27 couples tie the knot at mass wedding ceremony
Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (VM)
Bantwal, Feb 21: "The mass wedding ceremony held at Punjalkatte by Swasthik Friends Club has been organized in a meaningful way, similar to those at Tirupati Temple. With this they have united people of all religions," said N Shankarappa, president of state backward class commission.
He addressed the gathering during the 5th annual mass wedding and ‘Swasthi Siri’ state award ceremony organized under the aegis of Swasthik Friends Club, Kattemane Maidan in Punjalkatte here on Wednesday February 21.
"The mass wedding has been celebrated in a grand manner similar to the weddings of rich people. It is a role model to the state," Shankarappa added.
As many as 27 couples entered wedlock during the ceremony.
Despita the all-India strike on Wednesday February 20, the ceremony went on without a hitch. Prior to the ceremony, entrepreneur Nithyananda Poojary flagged off a procession of the newly-married couples from Basaweshwara Temple.
The mass wedding programme was inaugurated by Babu Shetty, vice-president of Mumbai-Dahisar-Jogeshwari regional committee while Nalin Kumar Kateel wished the new couples.
Vamanjoor Lingamaruguttu Shivanna Shetty presented ‘mangalasutra’.
Progressive farmer Rajesh Nayak, entrepreneur Jeethendra S Kottary, state president of JD(S) youth wing Madhubangarappa were the guests of honour.
Krishna Bhat, chief temple priest of Gopalkrishna Temple conducted the wedding ceremony.
'Swasthi Siri' Award
The ‘Swasthi Siri’ award was presented to cinema director Yajnesh Shetty Mumbai, prominent organizer Dr M Annaiah Kulal, Prashanth Kumar Alipade, and environment activist Kishore Kumar Shiradi.
Journalist Laxmi Machina, Beltangady, Sridar Uchil, Mumbai, Kishore D Shetty, social worker P Ramakrishna Mayya, folk thinker M D Venkappa, sports achievers Chinmayi and Gowdin Pamela Fernandes, and folk artist Shinaparava Maaladi were honored with 'Swasthik Sambhrama Award'.
Prabhakar P M welcomed the gathering, H K Nayanadu, Gopal Anchan, Arpitha Shetty compered while secretary Jayaraj Attaje delivered the vote of thanks.
Padmanabha Kottary, district BJP president, Sulochana Bhat, president of Rajya Balabhavan, former minister Nagaraj Shetty, entrepreneur Ravi Poojary, Thungappa Bangera, founder president of Swasthik Friends Club, president Prashanth Punjalakatte, Abdulla P, honorary president, Anand Shetty Adyar, Purushottam Shetty, Suresh Shetty Mumbai, Gilbert Baptist, Harish Poojary, P Dinesh, Tulasi Harabe, zilla panchayat member, Ramesh Kudmeru, Vinaya Nayak, Bharathi Shetty, Vishwanath Kotian, Babu Sapalya, Praveen Shetty Poove Mumbai, Padmanabha Suvarna among others were present.