Report: Shodhan Prasad

Ajman, Nov 2: KaDaM (KundapuraDevadigaMitra) successfully recently celebrated its eighth anniversary in grandeur at Ajman Beach Hotel, here with a full day cultural event witnessed by Devadiga families, guests from India and friends. Under the able leadership of dynamic businessman Dinesh Devadiga Chitradi Nagoor, KaDaM also serves its needy community brethren in terms of education, medical needs and also arranges blood donation drives in the UAE.

The ceremony began at 11 am with the lighting of the lamp by KaDaM ladies, Gowri Devadiga, Sharada Devadiga, Leelavathi Devadiga, Ambika Devadiga, H Mohan Das, Ravi Devadiga, Raju Devadiga, Dinesh Devadiga, Ravi Devadiga Tallur and Sheena Devadiga. Ramachandra Devadiga Kasaragod recited the prayer.

Nithyananda Beskoor welcomed the audience, sponsors and media representatives and gave a gist of the exciting day's itinerary. A welcome dance by Shashirekha and Kumari Shreya followed.

Asha Devadiga, Sridhar Bramavar and Santhosh Sherigar jointly hosted the programme in their own style. A variety of cultural programmes including dances were very well presented.

The audience enjoyed beautiful melodies sung by Pramod Kumar, Sai Mallika, Dinesh Doddana Gudde, Udaya Nanjappa, Shiva Kumar, Kumari Adhira, Kumari Ishwarya, Manish, Suresh Devadiga, Shodhan Prasad, Gayathri, Yash Sujith Shetty and Ramachandra Devadiga. Dances were performed by Neha, Shreesha, Dhanya Dinesh Devadiga, Asha Devadiga Navya Devadiga Konchady, Shruthi Devadiga, Priya Devadiga, Vishalakshi Devadiga, Kiran Beskoor, Smitha Devadiga, Harinakshi Sherigar, Shashirekha Devadiga, Reshma Devadiga, Kumari Shreya, Niveditha, Niranjana, Kumari Elsa, Nandana, Yash, Vasu Devadiga, Santhosh Sherigar, Ravi Devadiga, Jagadish Devadiga, Manohar Devadiga, Manjunath Devadiga and Kids from symphony dancing institution. The ladies group dances were the highlight of the day well lauded by the audience.

Vasu Devadiga briefed on KaDaM’s successful events of the past years from the time of inception in 2010 till the current anniversary. He also briefed on the mission-vision and main objectives of KaDaM.

Ravi Devadiga read out the greeting messages received from well-wishers around the world.

KaDaM’s community service:
As of date KaDaM collected a whopping amount of around Rs 25 lac as KaDaM Education Fund. Rs three lac is being distributed as scholarship every year and another Rs 5.35 lac was given as medical aid to hospitalized patients. Contributions by each member every month is being accumulated to meet any unexpected medical emergency of needy community families. Whenever there is an urgent need for aid, members voluntarily take up initiatives and contribute funds for the needy.

As in previous years this year too KaDaM identified an exceptional community member who contributed to society. The 'DevadigaSadakaPrashasti' Award was conferred on Gowri Devadiga as recognition for her contributions in the field of social work.

Devadiga Sadaka Prashasti Award is specially conferred to individuals as a token of appreciation for their contribution towards society and community affairs. Awardee Gowri Devadiga is a woman who has created her identity in society with belief and objective in social service. An initiative to honour such woman achievers of the community is a proud moment for KaDaM. In traditional style guest Ravi Devadiga president of Devadiga Sangha Mumbai honoured her with a shawl, Vishalakshi Dinesh Devadiga presented her a garland, Kiran Beskoor handed over a flower bouquet while Sudhakar Devadiga handed over the fruit basket. A video presentation followed, to highlight the achievements and awards received by Gowri. Prashasti Patra was presented by Dinesh Devadiga. Sheena Devadiga presented a memento. In return to the Sadaka Prasasti, the overwhelmed recipient Gowri Devadiga thanked the organizers of the event and dignitaries on the dais.

KaDaM also felicitated community leaders H Mohan Das, Ravi Devadiga president of Devadiga Sangha Mumbai and Ambika Raju Devadiga. All the recipients thanked KaDaM for honoring them and wished KaDaM all the success.

Politician Raju Devadiga, entrepreneur Praveen Kumar Shetty of Fortune Group, Ravi Tallur, Dinesh Kumar Devadiga, president of Devadiga Sangha Dubai, guest Umanath Kotian of Tulu Sahitya Academy, guest Rajshekar Kotiyan actor/producer of Shree Narayana Guru Tulu movie and guest N T Poojary of Billawa Jagrati Balaga, Mumbai spoke here reminiscing KaDaM’s social work in and around Kundapur.

Naveen Suvarna, Shodhan Prasad, Ganesh Rai, Suresh Devadiga (NMS), Arvind Sanil, Murthy Bhat, Sadan Das, Devesh Alva, Nithiraj Shetty, Vasu Shetty, Karunakar Shetty, Daya Kirodian, Das Kudla, Ravi Devadiga Abu Dhabi, Suresh Devadiga DHL, Sujith Shetty were present as guests at the programme.

Ganesh Rai applauded KaDaM for its selfless service to society and its dedication toward mankind. He mentioned KaDam’s various commendable social initiatives such as blood donation camps, scholarships back home, get-togethers and Indian traditional festival celebrations.

KaDaM conducted a drawing competition for the children ably judged by Ravi Tallur, Suresh Devadiga DHL and Sai Mallika.

Cultural and stage programmes were coordinatedand and ably conducted by Yuvaraj Devadiga, Manoj Devadiga, Ravi Nagoor, Santhosh Kolnad and Elegant Team.

All the sponsors, media representatives and participants were honoured and presented with mementos by Dinesh Devadiga and KaDaM members.

Throughout the programme many spot games were conducted and the audience actively participated and received prizes. Towards the end a grand raffle draw was conducted and prizes were handed over to the winners.

The event concluded with the vote of thanks rendered by Sheena Devadiga who thanked all the sponsors, participants, media, guests of the various organizations, well-wishers and members for their wholehearted support in making the event a grand success. He also thanked the special guests Sharada Devadiga Nagoor, Leelavathi Devadiga Nagoor, Revathi Sherigar Mala, Ravi Tallur and Sheena Devadiga from India who flew in to attend the event. He particularly thanked Dinesh Devadiga and his wife for their continuous wholehearted support extended to KaDaM and its members in planning and executing the event in an organized manner. As always, Elegant Group of companies were the proud main sponsors of the event.

KaDaM organized a sumptuous buffet lunch as well as the special Mangalurean ‘Holige’ for all.