Report and Pics from Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai (RD/SP)
Mumbai, Mar 24: The metro-based Billava Jagruti Balaga, a break-away fraction of the Billava Association, once again reconciled and returned to the fold of its parent organization after eight years here on Monday March 23. The office bearers of both the groups held talks, brokered by veteran Billava leaders, at the IGM Club, Bandra here and opened up a new chapter in the history of the Billava organizations in the metro, by merging of the Billava Jagruti Balaga with its parent organization, Billava Association.
Billava Association patronized by a majority of Billavas in the metro, had recently celebrated its platinum jubilee here. The leaders of both the factions arrived at the Billava Bhavan, where they garlanded the statue of Brahmasri Narayana Guru and announced their unity through Mangala Arati rites. They shared the sweets, as are sinking the past differences and coming together through the process of reconciliation.
Billava Jagruti Balaga president Suresh S Poojary, founder and former president Sooru C Karkera, N T Poojary, vice president K Bhojaraj, honorary chief secretary Harish G Poojary, ‘Gurutu’ publication honorary editor Babu Shiva Poojary, Purushottam Kotian, Sundar Suvarna, G D Karkera, D K Anchan, S Giridar, D B Anchan, N P Suvarna and others were present on the occasion.
Billava Association vice president L V Amin, Gangadhar Amin Nasik and Gujarat Billava Sangh honorary president Dayananda Bontra brokered the talks for the coming together of the two organizations, in the interests of the general welfare of the entire Billava community.
Billava Association president Jaya C Suvarna, addressing the community brethren said, sectarian divides within the Billava community had been denounced by visionary Guru Narayana; hence the reconciliation between both the groups will be further strengthened with a visit to Sri Kshetra Kudroli, Mangalore by veteran leaders.
At the same time, Jaya Suvarna expressed his deep concern over the dwindling number of Billava brethren in the fields of education, politics and other key areas, that ought to be redressed to enable the community to have a significant say in the society. Billava Bhavan is meant for the entire community and will remain so in the future, he asserted.
Billava Association vice president Y Nagesh, Vasudev R Kotian, honorary treasurer Bhaskar Bangera, ‘Akshaya’ monthly honorary editor M B Kuckian, joint secretary Dhananjay Kumar, womens’ division president Jayanti V Ullal, Bharat Co-Operative Bank (Mumbai) Limited deputy chairman Rohini J Salian, Puja committee president Devendra Bangera, religious sub-committee honorary secretary C T Salian, Mahesh Karkal and others were present on the occasion.
Mumbai Sath Rasta and Mangalore Sunkadakatte Sri Ambika Annapoorneshwari temple Sri Niranjan Swami and Powai Panchakuteer Mahashesha Rundamalini temple Sri Suvarna Baba expressed happiness over the merger of both the organizations.
Billava Jagruti Balaga president Suresh S Poojary urged the community brethren to collectively work for the prosperity of the entire Billava community by understanding each other and also the ground realities.
Billava Jagruti Balaga founder and former president Sooru C Karkera said, there would henceforth be only one Billava Association and Billava Bhavan for the entire Billava community, to serve each other in the metro.
Billava Association honorary chief secretary Nityanand D Kotian emotionally compared the coming together of the two important Billava organizations to the unity of of Tulunadu legendary brothers Koti and Chennaya.