Udupi: Billavara Seva Sangha ® Santhekatte, Kallianpura along with Mahila unit organized “Aatid Onji Dina” at Thonse Nagappa complex Hall, Santhekatte, Kallianpur on Sunday, 24th July, 2016.

The Aatid Onji Dina fantastic occasion was inaugurated by Kota Srinivas Poojary MLC, former Minister by playing the traditional game “Chennamani”. Hon’ble President, Shekar Gujjarbettu presided over the occasion. Pramod Madhwaraj, local MLA and Minister of Fisheries, Sports and youth, Sri Janardhan Thonse ZP member, Syam K. Poojary Entreprteneur, Gananath Ekkar resource person and State PRO of State NSS, Ashok M. Suvarna President of Sri Vishwanath Kshetra, Katpady, B. P. Ramesh Poojary Director of Karnataka State Fisheries Nigam, Umesh Poojary President of Badanidiyoor Grama Panchayat, Dinesh Jathan, President of Billavara Seva Sangha Moodukudru and officials of the Bellavara Seva Sangha were present on the dais.

After the inauguration in his address, Kota Srinivas Poojary pointed out the need to maintain our traditional customs like Aatid Onji Dina, so that our children can understand our culture where now also some of the tulunadu areas were still present. Ashadha month having various characters still ages where now also we are celebrating it in the sense that we do not need any disasters. He appreciated the Billavara Sangha the initiatives taken to the maintain our culture and traditions.

In his address by resource person of the day, Gananath Ekkar beautifully highlighted the difference between nature and culture. Nature is not controlled by us, in fact the culture surely maintained by us. When we protect our nature then we would also protect our culture and traditions which our ancestors followed and practiced. The present era has been human looking for destruction of the nature by different ways. He pointed out the various celebrations during the month of Ashadha, Aati which have various reasons.

During the occasion, Pramod Madhwaraj, Janardhan Thonse, Gananath Ekkar, B. P. Ramesh Poojary, Rama Poojary and others were honoured. Pramod Madhawaraj in his chief guest address that Karnataka Government provides financial helps to the minorities, lower caste public and others in the intention to uplift of the society. He would look forward to provide financial help to construct community halls. He also appreciated the Billavas for their commitment of helping and guiding their community.

Earlier, the programme started with an invocation prayer by women. Shekar Gujjarbettu welcomed the gathering. Scholarships and prizes for various competitions were distributed during the occasion. Janardhan Thonse and Ashok M. Suvarna spoke during the occasion. Jagadish Kemmannu Secretary proposed vote of thanks. Santhosh compered the stage programme.

The Aatid Onji Dina was celebrated traditionally where the guests were welcomed by offering ‘Pelakayida Gatti and Jeerigeda Kasaya. Aatid the Attil were displayed which were prepared by the community women. The various maximum good taste of varieties like Timare Chetney, Uppad Pachhir, Takkareda Talli, Uppad, Thevu Padphe, Kanaleda Gasi, Kanchalada Gasi, Thojank, Nurge soppu, Narvolu thoppuda Dosa, pathrade, Chilmida Adde, Pundi, Gunda, Kudutha Urunde, Kudutha Chetney, Appade Adde, Nungelettida Chetney, Maduvai sukka, Korida Sukka, Urpelarida nuppu, Ettida Sar, Aritha urunde, Kudutha Urunde, payasha, rasham, Kadale Gashi, Mulka and other items were prepared.

Large number of community people participated during the occasion and enjoyed the Aatid Onji Dina with tradition and culture.