Media Release
Kuwait, Dec 8: The fifth Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) of Billava Sangha Kuwait was held on December 1 at the Indian Community School, Salmiya.
The event commenced with a Guru Shloka followed by lighting of the lamp by the chief guest for the day Dr Ganesh Amin Sankamar, president Raghu C Poojary, management committee and advisory committee members, senior members Bhaskar Anchan, Manoj Kumar and Sudhakar Suvarna.
Raghu C Poojary in his welcome speech urged all the Billavas to stay united and strong. He urged them to work for the upliftment of the community. The general secretary, Gautham Suvarna read the annual report of the activities of the association while the treasurer Raghav Poojary read out the financial report for the year, both of which were approved by the members. The proposal for the amendment to the constitution was placed before the members by the general secretary and the same was carried out unanimously by the members present in the AGM.
Advisor Satish Kunder, in his motivating speech gave a detailed insight about the scholarship programme for the less privileged deserving students of the community back at home. He appreciated the young active members of BSK for their sincere hard work in the success of getting large number of associates for supporting 100 students this year in their education.
It was an honour for Billava Sangha Kuwait to have well-known Tulu scholar Dr Ganesh Amin Sankamar, dean and professor at St Aloysius Collage, Mangaluru as chief guest for the day. Dr Sankamar was honored with a shawl, platter of fruits and a memento by the members of the managing and advisory committee. Sandeep Kumar Attavar was also felicitated with a shawl, platter of fruits and a memento for his contribution towards the association. Speaking about the resurrection activities at 'Devi Baidethi Koti Chennaya Moolasthana' at Gejjegiri, he commended BSK for fulfilling the responsibility by offering the full amount for the construction of 'Kuppe Panjurli Daivasthana'.
Dr Sankamar graced the occasion and in his address presented a detailed explanation about the Billava community, Tulu language and about Tulu culture. He also appreciated Billava Sangha Kuwait for their contribution towards scholarships to deserving students through Shree Guru Charitable Trust and appealed for participation in bigger numbers in future.
A video and slide show of the education programme by Sri Guru Charitable Trust, Surathkal, was later displayed with recordings of the survey of candidates, motivation programme, interview with students and progress of children’s caliber which emotionally touched the hearts of the audience.
During the AGM, a drawing competition was held for kids from age group 4 to 15 to bring out the best talent in the various categories. The competition was fairly judged by Pradeep Kumar and Sudhir Kumar and the winners are as follows:
Age group 4 to 6, colouring:
First place: Tanush
Second place: Pranav
Third place: Tejas
Age group 6 to 9, scenery sketch:
First place: Ritika
Second place: Saisha
Third place: Yash
Age group 9 to 15, Mahatma Gandhi sketch:
First place: Arjun
Second place: Kriti
Third place: Aarushi
The lantern competition held during Billava Chavadi 2017 was judged by Sanath Shetty and Durgesh on October 20 and the prizes were distributed during the AGM to the winners as follows:
First prize - Raghu C Poojary
Second prize - Naveen V Bangera
Third prize - Neelesh Suvarna
Members Krishna S Poojary and Dhanraj Talapady were felicitated with mementos for their contribution toward stage setting during Billava Chavadi 2017 while Kavitha Bangera, Shilpa Chandrashekar, Shruthi Hemanth, Tina Govind, Preethi Krishna, Rashmi Mithun, Sandesh Amin, Sandesh Salian, Padmanabh Poojary, Avin Suvarna, Pooja Amith, Saumya Suvarna, Asha Kunder, Rashmi Raj, Gunavathi R Poojary were felicitated for their supporting roles toward drama and the programme. Judges for the drawing competition Pradeep Kumar and Sudhir Kumar were felicitated with flowers.
BSK kids and members received loud applause from the audience for their performance in the various cultural activities such as solo dance, group dance, skits, songs.
The returning officer Ashwitha Surendra announced the new managing committee members elected unanimously for the year 2018 as follows:
President - Raghu C Poojary
General secretary - Gautham Suvarna
Treasurer - Sujeet Amin
Sports secretary - Dheeraj Salian
Cultural secretary Amarnath Suvarna
PRO - Prashanth Poojary
Welfare officer - Suresh Kunder
Media secretary - Raghav D Poojary
Vice president - Krishna S Poojary
Joint secretary - Mithun Vishwanath
Internal auditor - Govind Belchada
Joint sports secretary - Jayalaxmi Vishwas
Joint cultural secretary - Jyothi Sudhir
Joint welfare - Rashmi Raj
Joint media secretary - Naveen V Bangera
Satish Kunder, Rohith Sanil and Chitrek Bangera will continue as advisors for the year 2018.
Raghu C Poojary congratulated the newly elected management members and urged the co-operation of all the members for the upcoming programmes. Prizes were distributed to the winners of the drawing and lantern competitions. Certificates and medals were distributed to all the children participants of the drawing competition.
General secretary Gautham Suvarna rendered the vote of thanks and the programme concluded with the Indian National Anthem.
The event was gracefully hosted by Hrishikesh and capably photographed by Sandeep Attavar.
Delicious dinner was served by Golden Wok, Mahaboula.
BSK managing committee thanks all the sponsors of the event and BSK members for their contribution toward the success of AGM 2017.