Report: Vanita Vinod
Kuwait, Dec 24: Tulu Koota Kuwait witnessed the emergence of a new enthusiastic team of managing committee members at the 14th annual general meeting of Tulu Koota Kuwait held at Indian Community School (Sr Girls), Salmiya, on iday December 20. The team affirmed their willingness to work for the progress and welfare of the Tuluvas, like their predecessors.
The grand evening commenced with the invocation song by Suresh Salian and Santhosh Kunder followed by the traditional lighting of lamp by the managing committee members 2013 and the advisors.
The annual report was presented by Wilson D’Souza, general secretary on the activities organized during the year 2013, while the financial report was presented by treasurer Vinay Kumar Bhandary. Both the reports were approved by the members of the association. Ramesh Kidyoor, the outgoing president expressed his gratitude and appreciationfor the committee members and thanked every member for their continuous support.
The new managing committee members for 2014 were unanimously elected. Returning officer Suresh Shyam Rao Neramballi invited the newly elected managing committee members to the dias, who then introduced themselves to the audience.
The managing committee for the year 2014 are: Tharendra P Shettigar (president), Harish Bhandary (vice-president), Sathish Acharya (general secretary), Lionel Mascarenus (joint secretary), VijayaKairangal (treasurer), Rajesh Mendon (internal auditor), Suresh Salian(cultural secretary), Ronald D’souza (sports secretary), Ramesh Shekar Bhandary (welfare officer), Faustine Pinto (PRO).
President Tharendra P Shettigar called upon the members of Tulu Koota Kuwait to extend their wholehearted support to the new committee in their pursuit of welfare of Tuluvas and promotion of Tulu language, art and culture.
The ambulance donation project namely “Thuder” donors Harish Shetty, Monika Harish Shetty, Piyus Dias, and Satischandra Shetty were felicitated for their valuable contribution. The volunteers who worked hard during the World Tulu Convention were also felicitated by Fr Noel D’Almeida and Fr Roshan Rosario. In addition to this, other associations of Kuwait, Billava Sangha Kuwait, Buntara Sangha Kuwait, Kuwait Canara Welfare Association, Navachethna Yuvaka Mandal, and the United Mangaloreans in Kuwait were recognized by a memento for taking part in the World Tulu Convention 2013. The managing committee members of 2012 were also felicitated by the advisory committee member Satishchandra Shetty, Fr Roshan Rosario and Fr Noel D’Almieda. Valuable contributions of Ramesh Kidiyoor, Vishweshwar Karkala, Wilson D Souza, Faustin Pinto, Suresh Salian, in collecting the maximum funds during WTC 2013 were appreciated with a gift. Fr Noel D’Almieda and Fr Roshan Rosario appreciated the efforts of Tulu Koota Kuwait for its charitable work.
Variety of cultural programmes were lined up for the evening starting with dances by Shravya Shetty, Karthikeya, Viola Martis, Preeti Suvarna, Rithvik Shettigar, Ajay Karkala, Akshaya Karkala, Aishwarya Gopakumar, Aadira Gopakumar, groups from Desi Strikers, which kept the audience entertained. The audience was mesmerized by the melodious compositions rendered by Laveena Praphulla and thoroughly enjoyed the humorous skits presented by Lionel Mascarenhas, Manoj Bangera, Lucy Aranha, Nasir Puthyaveetil, Mahesh Poojary and Janet D’souza as a team. The raffle draw was conducted by Yadunath Alva and prizes were distributed to the winners by outgoing managing committee of 2013.
Towards the end of the program, a skit depicting the birth of Jesus Christ was beautifully displayed by the members of Tulu Koota Kuwait. Festive atmosphere of Christmas celebration was joyous and colourful with Santa clause’s appearance with cakes and chocolates. This was followed by scrumptious dinner from Avanti Palace Restaurant. The program was beautifully compered by Purandara Manchi. The AGM concluded with vote of thanks by general secretary Satish Acharya.