News and pics: Rons Bantwal

Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai (EP)

Mumbai, Dec 24: There are members of Thiya Samaja among Kannadigas who have migrated to Mumbai from Karnataka and Kasargod. Malayali Billava
- Belchada of them had migrated about a century ago. While they improved their lives, they united about seventy years ago and started an association. They named it Thiya Samaja, Mumbai. The women's wing of Thiya Samaja is about to celebrate ten years of its existence.

The Samaja proceeds in the principles of Brahmashree Narayanaguru who has contributed towards their progress in both Mumbai and their hometown. They have developed love for their motherland while retaining the culture of the community. They have conducted cultural, educational, medical and religious programmes from time to time. The youth leader, social worker and thinker and the president of the organization Chandrashekar R Belchada has far sightedness for the progress of the community. They have matrimonial information center, medical fund, women's wing and also publish their organ
Theeya Belaku. They have identified the talented youth in the community and encouraged them by distributing scholarship and talent awards.

The women's wing started with a handful of women members have conducted several programmes beneficial to women. Seetha K Salian was elected executive president continuously four times in a row. She has united hundreds of women. Chandra M Suvarna was later elected as executive president. Divya R Kotian is the executive president at present. The community leader and executive president Chandrashekar Belchada has been extending his encouragement and cooperation.

The tenth anniversary of the women's wing will be held at Dr M Vishwesharaya Hall at Matunga West on December 28 at 2 pm. Association president Chandrashekar R Belchada will preside over the programme. Povai Rundamalini trustee, Suvarna Baba will bless the occasion. Bantara Sangha Mumbai Women's wing executive president Latha J Shetty and Rajaka Sangha Mumbai women's executive president Shubha D Gujran, Mulund Bunt's executive president Dr Sathya S Shetty, Stree Shakthi Mandoli Thane President Usha Hegde, SRM Hospital Chennai leader Dr Sandhya Vasanth will be the chief guests.

Moghaveera Mandali Mumbai women's executive president Premalatha Puthran, Billavara Association President Mumbai, Women's executive president Shakunthala K Kotian, Karnataka Vishwakarma Association Mumbai, women's executive president Usha G Munnuru, Padmashali Samaja Seva Sangha Mumbai, women's executive president Sarojini H Shettigarh and women's executive presidents of Devadiga Sangha Mumbai, Bharathi S Nittekar, Safalya Seva Sangha Mumbai, Anitha G Suvarna, Bhandari Seva Samithi, Lalitha V Bhandary and Kulala Sangha Mumbai Sumathi S Banjan will arrive as guests of honour.

Rohidas R Bangera elder in the community will be awarded Thiya Kularathna Award recognizing his service in religion, education and social service. KP Aravind, Ayil Babu, Chandra M Suvarna and Vrindha Dinesh will also be felicitated on the occasion.

A cultural programme will be held by the women in the association and children. A cultural programme will also be held under the direction of Padmanabha Sasihithlu. The working committee women's wing, sub committee office bearers, members and western zone women's wing secretary Chandra M Suvarna have requested all the members of the community to attend the programme and make it a grand success.