Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai (SP)

Mumbai, Aug 10: Rohit Shetty Mumbai annexed 'Kshatriya Buntshree-2015' title at the national level body building competition organized by Mumbai city regional committee of Bunts Sangha Mumbai in association with Indian Body Builders Federation. The award carries cash component of one lac rupees, and memento. The second spot went to Prajwal Shetty Mumbai, while Deepesh Shetty had to be content with bronze.

On this occasion, 'Mr World' Raymond D'Souza, who exhibited his excellent body, succeeded in winning over adulation and admiration of the gathering.

Karnataka youth services and sports minister, K Abhay Chandra Jain, inaugurated the annual festival of Bunts Sangha Mumbai held by the city regional committee of Bunts Sangha Mumbai on Saturday evening at Srimati Radhabai T Bhandary auditorium at Bunts Bhavan at Kurla (east) by lighting the traditional lamp. He also unveiled the name board of 'Kshatriya Buntshree-2015' contest, which was the main programme for the day.

'Mr World' Raymond D'Souza Mangaluru, Bunts Sangha Belgaum president, K Ratnakar Shetty, and Bunts Sangha Mulky president, Santosh Shetty, participated as honorary guests at the function which was presided over by Bunts Sangha president, Karnire Vishwanath Shetty. The honorary guests handed over cash rewards, mementos, and other prizes to the prize-winning participants. Runner-up got Rs 25,000 in cash, while the contestant in third spot got Rs 20,000. With the aim of encouraging this event, contestants who were placed in fourth and fifth positions also were handed over Rs 10,000 each in cash.

Abhay Chandra, speaking on the occasion, said a visit to Bunts Sangha at Mumbai gives him a pleasant feeling of having entered his own sweet home. 'Bunts have always been endowed with allround capabilities, and they are always physically and mentally strong. Body building has always been nurtured by generations of Bunts, and it is heartening that this art is being encouraged through such competitions. Bunts Sangha in the metro has come up on the basis of the sweat of its predecessors, and Bunts community is known to treat everyone as their own. People from coastal Karnataka living in Mumbai have been instrumental in enabling people in Dakshina Kannada district to lead lives with self respect and dignity,' he opined.

In his presidential address, Karnire Vishwanath Shetty said that the capacity of Bunts Matru Sangha has been reinforced with the formation of regional committees. 'With this, talents of young people have come to the fore. The body building competition held today has become so much successful that it has the potential of giving recognition to Bunts at international level. The Sangha will work to organize such competitions every year to keep alive the traditions and heritage of Bunt community,' he announced.

Out of the competition held for three categories, Rohit Shetty was adjudged topper in the section meant for people weighing above 80 kg. Jivesh Shetty was placed second, while Prannoy Shetty Karnataka got third spot in 'Buntshree-2015' contest.

In the section meant for those between 70 and 80 kg weight category, Prajwal Shetty Mumbai came first, while Saujan Shetty and Devesh Shetty got second and third spots respectively. In the category meant for less than 70 kg, Deepesh Shetty, Mahesh Shetty and Varun Shetty were placed first, second and third in that order.

Retired assistant commissioner of central excise and customs department, Dharmapal Shetty and Suchitra Dharmapal, as well as Sairaj Hospital Mumbai head, Dr Yermal Shivanand Shetty - Bharati couple, were felicitated at the annual function by the honorary guests. The felicitated guests expressed their happiness.

Sponsors of the programme, Aikala Arjun Shetty, Padmanabha S Payyade, VK group of concerns managing director, Karunakar M Shetty, director, Ankit K Shetty, Peninsula group of hotels director, Satish R Shetty, Baba's group of concerns managing director, Mahesh N Shetty, vice president of the Sangha, Prabhakar L Shetty, honorary general secretary, Ulthoor Mohandas Shetty, honorary treasurer, I R Shetty, joint secretary, Kishore Kumar Shetty Kutyar, women's wing working president, Lata Jayaram Shetty, working president of youth wing, Vivek V Shetty, Karnire Lata V Shetty, Aikala Sujata Gunapal Shetty, and a number of leading Bunt leaders from the city were present.

Entrepreneur, Suresh Shetty Ballari, Chetan Pathari of Indian Body Builders Federation, S Navindas, Raveendra Rai, Dileep Madu, regional organizing working president of the Sangha for western satellite towns, Mundappa S Payyade, city regional coordinator, Krishna V Shetty, city committee deputy working president, Shibarurguthu Suresh S Shetty, treasurer, Santosh R Shetty, joint secretary, Sachidananda V Shetty, joint treasurer, Mahabala Shetty, city committee women's wing working president, Kalpana K Shetty, city regional committee youth wing working president, Karan Shetty, deputy working president, Monishraj Shetty, secretary, Prateek D Shetty, KBS advisers, Jayaram Shetty Inna, Angadiguthu Prasad Shetty, Raghu P Shetty, Sujay R Shetty, and several other office bearers were present.

At the beginning of the programme, tributes were paid to former President of India, Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, who departed for heavenly abode recently, by observing silence. Artist couple, Prashant Shetty and Anu Prashant of 'Chitramitra' fame exhibited their patriotism by creating an artistic painting of Dr Kalam on the spot.

City regional committee working president, Doddaguthu Bhujanga Shtty, welcomed. Suchita Shetty rendered prayer. Aikala Sannidhi Harish Shetty performed welcome dance. KBS adviser, Anil Shetty Elinje, delivered introductory address, apart from introducing the guests. Heads of different regional committees, sponsors, and guests were honoured by working president by presenting betel nut inflorescence in golden plate.

Editor of 'Buntara Vani' monthly, Ashok Pakkala, and treasurer of youth wing of city committee, Prateek P Shetty, presented the programme. City regional committee secretary, Nalyaguthu Prakash T Shetty, read out the annual report and proposed vote of thanks. As part of the cultural programmes, members of the city regional committee presented variety dances and other programmes.