Shodhan Prasad

Dubai, Oct 14: Padmashali UAE, a community association of Padmashali’s in UAE concluded a grand function marking their fifth anniversary on Friday October 10, at the India Club Auditorium, Dubai and during the occassion released their maiden Souvenir 'Padmasangama' in a jam packed auditorium witnessed by many Padmashali Community Leaders who arrived all the way from India as guests including Padmashali Community Members from all over UAE and leaders of various other community organisations in UAE who shared the joy of the celebrations throughout the day.

The programme started with the formal stage programme inviting chief guest, C Prabhakar Shettigar and guest of honours Srinivas Shettigar, Lalithavathi Shettigar, Prabhashankar on to the stage along with president Ravi B Shettigar, vice president, Shubhakar Shettigar and secretary Sachindranath who shared the stage. Soon the children of Padmashali rendered prayer song and then Sachindranath addressed the gatherering with his welcome speech.

All the guests lit the auspicious traditional lamp and opened up the programme vibrantly. Later, president Ravi B Shettigar Karkala welcomed the guests and narrated the positive activities of the organisation conducted throughout the past five years. He also briefed on how, why and what made the need for forming an association for Padmashali's in UAE and how it resulted in giving back and supporting the needy community fellow members back in the hometown.

Prabhashankar, the organisational head of Kinnimulki Shri Veerabhadra Temple, who was one of the guests of honour, blessed the Padmashali's and enlightened community members on the right religious practices they need to follow in daily life. He also enlightened them on the rituals, marriage, pooja and other religious activities of the community wherein there seems to be some confusion. While wishing the community members he also called up the members to show solidarity to the organisation and make themselves a strong vibrant community.

Treasurer, Raghuram read out the statement of accounts in detail and briefed on the funds distributed to deserving community children for education back home all these years. He requested the members to keep supporting such a cause in the future too. Keerthi Kumar read out the messages received from the well wishers on the souvenir release.

Guest of honour, Lalithavathi Shettigar blessed and thanked the Padmashaali UAE applauding their activities which she said is a lead to other organisations to follow.

Later, the Chief Editor of the much awaited Souvenir 'Padma Sangama', the man behind the beautiful creation, Shubhakar Shettigar spoke on the idea behind the need of the souvenir, the making and revealed the names of those who shouldered the responsibility in bringing out 'Padma Sangama' the maiden Padmashaali souvenir.

Leader of DK Padmashaali Mahasabha and owner of Avinash Engineering Industries Mangalore, Srinivas Shettigar inaugurated, released and distributed the 'Padma Sangama' Souvenir amidst applauds from community members and audience. He also briefed on the various Padmashaali Associations in and around India, their activities and the formations. He mentioned the names of all those stalwarts of Padmashaali who have remarkably contributed towards the community affairs and development all these years. He also gave details on the development programme and how the community organisation can be taken forward with strategic planning with the sole aim to assist the needy bretherns back home. On the occassion he applauded and felicitated Shubhakar Shettigar and Arundathi, the editors of 'Padma Sangama' with a shawl, fruits, bouquet and memento in recognition of their hard work. Later, all the guests of honour were also individually felicitated.

Finally, chief guest, C Prabhakar Shettigar, a retired professor, ex-president of DK Padmashaali Maha Sabha, ex-president of Padmashaali Vidya Varthaka Sangha, addressed the audience with his powerful speech. He mentioned the need of education in bringing up the community bretheren and supporting the needy through education funds and also stressed that those who get benefits from these funds should commit their support back to the organisation later after getting themselves a settled job. He requested the community members to be active in not only joining the gathering but trying to bring in and introduce more and more community members into the association and thus building a strong big vibrant community organisation. He also said that giving a big speech on the stage is not important, instead stressed the community members to physically getting involved in the affairs of the association and supporting the management to enhance their activities.

All the sponsors, advertisers, promoters, well wishers involved in the souvenir 'Padma Sangama' along with the media representatives and leaders of various community organisations in UAE were invited on to the stage and felicitated.

Arundathi concluded the formal stage programme by rendereing the vote of thanks.

Cultural programme:
The cultural programme started at around 12.30 pm and went on for more than three hours with a variety of progammes including various forms of dances from Kuchipudi, Bharatanatyam, Folk Dance, Filmy Dance, Contemporary Dance, Free Style Dance, Folk Singing, Filmy Songs and Western Dances presented by not only children and teens but also by active men and women folks of the community.
There were short comedy skits in between which kept the audience with rib tickling acts of laughter presented by members of the community.
'Bhasmasura Mohini,' a dance drama was one of the attractions of the day.

In between the programme, Dr Padmanabh Shettigar entertained the audience with his short quizzes and prizes for the children as well as the adults.

All the participants of the cultural programme were honoured with mementos. A lucky Padmashaali draw was arranged and the winner was awarded with an iPad instantly.

The programme concluded with the Indian National Anthem and the entire audience stood up with gratitude and sang the 'Jana Gana Mana' with devotion.

The entire programme was ably jointly anchored by Dr Padmanabha, Harinakshi, Dhrithi and Arvind Shettigar throughout the day.