News: Shodhan Prasad
Pics: Ashok Belman, Gulf Kannadiga
Daijiworld Media Network – Dubai
Dubai, Feb 20: A joyous picnic, the first event of 2011 by Billawas Dubai and Northern Emirates concluded on a memorable note at Zabeel Park on Friday
February 18.
The day long event was attended by more than 250 members from all over UAE. The day’s event started with gathering the members by Shodhan Prasad and a condolence prayer to the BDNE president Mohan Attavar’s father-in-law A C Amin, president of Billawa Sangha Karkala and who passed away recently.
Susheela an elderly Billawa women visitor from India opened up the day’s programme by releasing the peace balloon.
President Mohan Attavar welcomed the members and handed over the programme to Shodhan Prasad who conducted the team games throughout the day with the support of Madhav Poojary, Jagannath Bellare, Anand Bailoor, Ganesh Kotian, Sudhakar Poojary, Ganesh Urwa, Vittal Poojary, Vaman Poojary, Jeevan Kuckian, Deepak, Kariya Poojary, Krishna Poojary, Nagaraj, Vasanth Thumbe, Prabhakar Poojary, Shuba Manoj, Rajani, Jayashree, Deepa Jagannath, Sunitha, Shyamala, Suvarna, Sandhya and many other BDNE member volunteers who enthusiastically assisted in the pre-planning as well as during the day’s event.
There were various group games including, Dodge Ball, Passing the rope, Passing the ball, Treasure Hunt, Dance Competition, Advertisement action, Queens Demand, Tie wearing, Quiz competition, Children’s dance, Passing the parcel, Bombing the city, Chocolate count, Miming, Couple games, Dressing like female etc.
The most fun attraction was the last one and the advertisement campaign which had innovative ideas reflected by the members on the spot itself. There were three volunteer judges, Sudharshan, Sreenivas and Laxmeesh who through out the skill games had judged the winners ably and smoothly. While Pravin Attavar and Uday Kumar Kateel judged the later part of the fun events.
Special attraction was the food stalls voluntarily set up by Satish Ullal and team with Coconut, Tender Coconut, Fruits as well as ‘Boothai Uppu Munchi Masala’, Kori Sukka, Pundi Chatni and Idli Sambar prepared by his women volunteers which was really delicious. Ganesh Urwa and his team set up stall for ‘Charmburi’, Thekkare Salad and so on which were also savored by all who attended. People were playing ‘tharayi katta’ a Mangalorean game, remembering their good old days back in home town.
A yoga demonstration was done by instructor Usha Ganesh Urwa and her team comprising of Satish Poojary, Suvarna Poojary & Anand Bailoor. Everybody watched the demonstration with keen interest listening to the narration and simultaneously viewing the yoga asanas.
The noon lunch was a delicious pure vegetarian lunch arranged by Satish Poojary of Shiv Sagar Restaurant along with ‘kudutha chatni’ & ‘payasa’ as speciality.
Evening everybody enjoyed the evening snacks, ‘goli baje’ and ‘neerulli baje’ arranged by Jagannath Bellare along with tea/coffee.
DJ Santosh supported with playing the music for the games while at the end was ‘tambola’ game. Cassettes of ‘Pani Pani Barsa’ a Tulu musical album was on sale during the event. A Raffle draw arranged by Prabhakar Suvarna for ‘Gold Prize’ was also done during the event which was won by one of the member, Das of Karama Opticals.
Shodhan before the conclusion did the vote of thanks and thanked all those who have actively participated and supported the event. There were special prize for the person who have actively participated in all the events which was won by Monappa Suvarna. The Yoga group also received special prizes in recognition of their effort.
All the teams assembled at the last for the prize distribution. The first prize was won by Satish Poojary and his team, while the second and third prizes were won by Anil and his team and Rajini and her team respectively.
The programme concluded around 6.30 pm.