Kuwait: Billava Sangha Kuwait celebrated the 161stbirthday of Brahma Shree Narayana Guru Swamy on 11thSeptember 2015, at the Indian Community School, Salmiya from 5pm onwards.

Brahmashree Narayana GuruSwamy was a social reformer of India. He was born in an era when people from backward communities faced much social injustices in the caste-ridden society of Kerala. Gurudeva, as he was known by his followers, led a reform movement in Kerala, rejected castisum and promoted new values of spiritual freedom and social equality with the mantra ‘One cast-One religion-One God’.

The chief guests for the event were Mr. Suresh Kochath from the Saradhi Association Kuwait (Narayan Guru followers from Kerala), Mr. Ashok Poojary, President of the Navachethna Welfare Association and Mr. RohithSanil, a well-wisher of Billava Sangha.

The event commenced with the prayer song rendered by MithunVishwanath, DhanrajThalpady, JyothiSuvarna, AshwithaSurendra, SudhaSandesh, Sujith Amin, GauthamSuvarna, AmarnathSuvarna and Lathesh Chandra.The Managing and Advisory committee along with the chief guests inaugurated the event with the lighting of the lamp. The President Mr. Chitrek Bangera,while welcoming the devotees, requested everyone to unite and work together for the welfare of Billava community. It followed by a speech beautifully renderred by Ms. AshwithaSurendra on the life and deeds of Shree Narayan Guru Swamy.

Fancy dress competition for children on the theme “NammaOoruda Kula Kasabu” was then held, while the big children competed in anelocution competition. The competition was very tough with every child doing his very best. The judgeswere Mr. ChandrashekarKotian, Mr. Satish Acharya and Mr. Praveen Kotian. TejasPoojary bagged the first prize in the age group of 0-6 years (Fancy dress competition), whereas the second prizewinner was TanushPoojary. The first prizewinner in the age group 6-9yearswas KrishalPoojay and second prize won by NikileshPoojary. The first prize in the 9-15 age group (Elocution competition) was bagged by Arrushi Manoj Kumar, while JahnviChitrek Bangera won the second prize.

Bhajan was then recited by BillavaSanghBhajan team followed with the MahaMangalaArthi. Brahma Shree Narayan Gurupooja festival was very well executed by ManojAnchan.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks rendered by the General Secretary,Vijay Kavoor and adelightful dinner served by Udupi Restaurant. The mantapa was very well arranged and decorated by Mr. DhanrajThalpady and his team. The photography was ably handled by Sandeep Attavar, while the event was very well hosted by ManojBangera and Sushma Bangera.