7TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION BY KARNATAKA SANGHA ANDHERI

Mumbai, July 27: “Offering pooja to God is not only worshipping or offering him Mangalarathi. As God exists in all beings, helping others is just like offering him the pooja. The holy books convey the message that making other people happy is the way of worshipping Him. Helping women who are in need of it is like offering pooja to Devi. It is highly commendable that the Karnataka Sangha Andheri is following this. All associations should understand that service to other human beings is service to god and should provide their services accordingly. In earlier days, Kings were ruling their citizens, but now citizens are becoming Kings and are participating in relieving people from their problems”, said Shri VishweshatheerthaShripadaru, the Seer of Udupi Shri Pejawara Mutt.

Shri Vishweshatheertha Swamiji spoke these words on last Sunday when he inaugurated the 7th anniversary celebration of Karnataka Sangha Andheri by lighting the lamp at Radhabhai T Bhandary auditorium of Bunts Bhavan, situated at Kurla East.

Mr. Tonse Jayakrishna A Shetty, the founder of Jayakrishna Parisara Premi Samiti presided over the function. Mr. Suresh H Shetty, the Health Minister of Maharashtra State was the chief guest. Vidwan Kairabettu Vishwanath Bhat, Presidents of renowned associations - CA| Shankar B Shetty, Mrs. Latha Prabhakar Shetty, N.T. Poojary, senior writer – Dr. Sunitha M Shetty, Industrialists – Karunakara M Shetty, Mrs. Latha Jayarama Shetty, Nagaraja Padukone, Ganapathi B, Vishwanath Shetty Mahim were present as honorary guests. Jasmeen, the renowned social worker felicitated the Executive-President of the Kalyan group – Dr. Surendra V Shetty and Mrs. Baby Surendra Shetty and distributed the annual scholarship to students which is being given by the association every year.

“The Karnataka people love their culture and are quite interested in social work. They are enjoying even their holidays in unity. This Karnataka association which is encouraging the young talents has immense social concern. The activities of the association which is working from my constituency is highly commendable. This association is uniting all the communities of Karnataka living in Mumbai. Let this association survive for more than hundred years”, said the minister Mr. Suresh.

“Helping children and hungered people is like service to god. The servers will be more encouraged if they are felicitated and honored. Honoring the service of social workers is just like honoring Lord Krishna himself”, said the Swamiji while referring to the social service of Dr. Surendra V Shetty. He also wished that this association bring light in the houses of one and all by eradicating the darkness”.

“If the thoughts of uncorrupted people awaken, they will be ready to take up the social work and if their thinking about God is deep, every work will yield good results. Any programme conducted by the selfless people with unity will be a successful one. Development of the society is possible only with the active participation of institutions like this. Let God bless them and let this organization grow as a powerful one”, wished Mr. Vishwanath Bhat.

While accepting his felicitation, Dr. Surendra Shetty said, “The service will be a valuable one if the work satisfies God. Especially, widow pension is a great thing. This association is providing services that best satisfies God. I am lucky to be felicitated by this association which is providing such services. Let this association, which provides service to education on one hand and social work and responds to women welfare on another hand, develop to a greater extent”.

In his presidential address, Mr. Jayakrishna Shetty said, “The contribution of this institution which gives peace of mind by fulfilling the wishes of helpless people is a unique one. It is the responsibility of all to provide their best co-operation to this association which works continuously, getting rid of all inequalities. Let this association which works for the development of the society through educational and social service grow for the betterment of the people”.

Various dance programmes were performed by various associations – organizations. Dance competition was also conducted. In the competition, Billawa Seva Sangha Kundapura won the first place, Karnataka Sangha Kalyan Mohane won the second place and Bunts Association Meera-Byandar Regional Committee won the third place. The guests distributed prizes to the winners and delivered contextual speech. Mr. Jitesh Bangera and Sandhya Kamath who were the judges for the dance competition were felicitated by Mr. Jayakrishna A Shetty.

The founder of the association – Krishna B Shetty, Honorary President – P. Dananjaya Shetty were present on the dais. Mr. Hairy R Sequeira welcomed all and honored Shripada. The ex Presidents – Baskar Suvarna, K Ashith Shetty, Khajanji Ganesh Ballaya, Vice Presidents – Sathish Karkera, Ravindra Shetty, Sudhesh Naik and Nilesh Shettigar, Joint Secretaries – Seetharama K Poojary, Jagjeevan Poojary and Damodara Gowda, Joint Treasurers –Udaya M Kergal, Jagadish Amin and Harish Shetty, Damodar Shetty of Cultural Committee, Ashok Shetty Thodar of Youth Wing and Sports Committee, Executive President of Women Wing – Mrs. Kavita Rao, Honorary Secretary – Anita U Shetty felicitated the guests by giving flower bouquets.

Ms. Roopa and Ms. Pramila Rai sang the prayer song. Rajendra Rao, the Secretary gave information about the activities of the association. Sujaya Rao read out the citation of the felicitated people. Rajkumar Marnad presented the cultural programmes. Karnoor Mohan Rai introduced the guests and presented the stage programme. Krishna B Shetty proposed the vote of thanks.