By Rons Bantwal

Mumbai, Oct 29: "It is my pleasure to get an opportunity to felicitate 90-year-old Dr Suneethaji, a literate, poet, writer and a professor and I am fortunate to sit beside her as these literates live in the minds of people even after leaving the world whereas a Governor’s term is very much limited," said Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Governor of Maharashtra. Further, he was very much delighted by knowing that Dr Suneethaji had served this country for 75 years out of which she stayed in Mumbai for almost 65 years and now heading towards centenary. 

Kannadiga Patrakartara Sangha, Maharashtra organized a `Puraskar Pradhan' event under the leadership of KPSM president Rons Bantwal on Friday October 29 at Mumbai Raj Bhavan’s Jal Vihar Conference Hall, the official venue of the Governor of the state of Maharashtra. Governor Koshyari has conferred the award and presented a title of 'Chennabhairadevi' to Dr Suneetha Shetty who is also a member of the advisory committee, senior literature, poet and journalist and professor.

Suneetha Shetty expressed her happiness after receiving the award and said that this was really a golden and most memorable moment of her life and thanked everyone for helping her reach this stage. Maharashtra and Karnataka have a historical relationship as Maharashtra was ruled by kings known to be from Shilahara family who are now living with a surname Shelar. She felt very happy when Governor of Maharashtra wished her to speak in Kannada at Maharashtra’s Rajbhavan. Governor’s key note was though he thought bengali as the only language with more literature, realised in Maharashtra that there are many Indian languages with its own speciality in literature. His advice to all was we may belong to a certain part of a state of our nation, with its own culture and values but basically, we should not forget that we are all Indians.

Suneetha Shetty's family members Bharat M Shetty (Son), Bhoomika M Shetty & Satya Pradeep Shetty (Daughter), Mahabal B Shetty (Son-in-law), KPSM vice president Ranga S Poojary, yreasurer Nagesh Poojary Elinje, secretary Raveendra Shetty Thalipady, Patrakartara Bhavana’s chairman Dr Shiva Mudigere, executive committee members Dr Dinesh Shetty Renjala, Vishwanath Poojary Niddodi, Nagaraj K Devadiga, Anita P Poojari Takode, Jayant K Suvarna, advisory committee members CA I R Shetty, advocate Rohini J Salian, advocate K P Prakash L Shetty, Gregory D’Almeida, Surendra A Poojary, Kadandale Suresh S Bhandary, Pdt Naveenchandra R Sanil, Sudhakar Uchil, special invitee members Gopal Trasi, Savita Suresh Shetty, Karunakar V Shetty, Sadanand K. Saphaliga, CA Jagdish B Shetty, Patron Member Dr Shivarama K Bhandary, members Tara R Bantwal and Mohammad Arif Kalakatta, Chandrashekar R Belchada, Satish S Salian (Rajaka) were present.

President Rons Bantwal welcomed all the attendees, award recipient and specially Governor in eight different Indian languages. The Governor was presented with a traditional thaali of Karnataka’s rich ancient culture, shawl and memento as a token of love and appreciation to governor for sparing his valuable time. General secretary Ashoka S Suvarna narrated about association and joint treasurer Dr G P Kusuma gave a brief introduction about Suneetha Shetty. Special invitee Member Saa Daya read honourer’s list and Advisor Dr R K Shetty compered the entire programme. Dr Suresh S Rao Kateel proposed the vote of thanks and concluded the session with national anthem.