Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha celebratesRajyotsava 2016' with pride and fervor

[email protected] (By Shodhan Prasad | photos by Sonu Bantwal)
November 5, 2016

Abu Dhabi, Nov 5: Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha is one such proud parent association for Kannadigas in UAE which has always kept the mantle of Karnataka high raised in this golden soil conducting Kannada programmes regularly and promoting art, literature and folk of Karnataka with Kannada flavor successfully since so many years. This year's Rajyotsava Day was grandly celebrated on Friday, November 4, at the Indian Social and Cultural Centre with much pride gathering a packed house auditorium throughout the day.

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Presided by Patron of Kannadigas in UAE, Padmashree Dr. B.R. Shetty along with Dr. Chandrakumari B.R. Shetty the celebrations kick started at 10.30 am with Manohar Tonse welcoming the guests and inviting the Chief Guests on to the stage to inaugurate the programme with the traditional lighting the lamp. Also present were Vice President of India Social Centre, RajanZacharia, General Secretary John Vegas, President of Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha, Sarvotham Shetty and Committee Members. The invitees were honoured with flower bouquets. Soon Divya Sharma & Group rendered the prayer song followed by rich Kannada patriotic songKannadambeya Mukutuda Manigale' during which the audience gave a standing ovation with pride spirit.

Well known VJ Avinash Kamath of Spandana TV Udupi was specially flown in from India to host the Cultural part of the celebrations. As he was warmly welcomed by the audience, he took over the stage and the audience in his own imitable style into the days programme. He introduced the whole days programme and soon presented a welcome danceSharanu Sharanu – Swagatha Nruthya' ably choreographed by the famous Vidushi Rohini Ananthof Dubai.

Followed wasShiva Thandava' choreographed by Vidushi Sapna Kiran which was beautifully presented and appreciated. Next was colourfulKarnataka da UdugeThoduge' ably directed by VeenaMallya and was loudly applauded.Kamsa Mardhana' byVidhwan C Navda was a hair raising well appreciated performance.

“Da Ra Bendre” Award

Every year Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha identifies a staunch Kannadiga who indulges and contributes himself greatly towards Kannada literature and art in this part of the world who will be eligible for this honour. This year they unanimously identified and announced the multi-talented versatile Art Director of Kannadigas in UAE, B.K Ganesh Rai who was welcomed on to the stage and bestowed with “Da Ra Bendre Award”. Ganesh Rai received a respectful felicitation and honour by Padmashree Dr.B.R. Shetty in whose organization he currently serves as a Creative Art Director. He was honoured with Shawal/Mysore Peta/Bouquet/Plaque and Certificate of honour.

While President of Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha, Sarvotham Shetty announced the award, Manohar Thonseread out Rai's achievements and the video presentation gave a colourful glory for the award function. In response Rai thanked Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha, the Patron, President and all the Kannadigas for the great honour he received while promising his continuous commitment towards Kannada. He also said that this is theRajyotsava Award' for him which he missed to receive few years ago in Karnataka.

Various Honours

As like every year this year too Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha honoured the Merit Students who were identified with the applications received from those parents of the students who had achieved 90% and above in 10th& 12th Std. and who excelled during the last academic year2015-2016'. Also those who have excelled in the field of sports (CBSE National Level) during the same academic year including the winners of Shaikh Hamdan Award and Sharjah Award were invited on to the stage and honoured. While Ravi Rai/Althaf MS conducted the proceedings, Dr. Chandrakumari B.R. Shetty honoured the students.

Soon Sarvotham Shetty took over the stage and blissfully thanked all the Sponsors of the event. He starting inviting the Main Sponsors and honoured them with Shawl and Memento. Other Sponsors were also invited on to the stage and honouring them with Shawls while the audience kept on applauding.

Vidhwan Chandrashekar Navada was also invited on to the stage and honoured with Shawl and Memento. Delegates from Gandhi Bhavan Bangalore Prof. G.B. Shivaraju, S Narayan Swamy & V.B.Somashekar who had come to Dubai forGandhi Statue' unveiling programme were also invited on to the stage and felicitated with Shawl & Memento.

At the same time Presidents of various organisations, Representatives of Media and Deepak Somashekara were all invited on to the stage and honoured with shawl.

Special honours were for Nruthya Vidushi Rohini Ananth & Sapna Kiran who were felicitated with Shawl and Memento.

Like every year Karnataka Throwball Players were invited on to the stage and honoured with Medals individually.

Special invitee Vasu Puthran, Founder President Tulu Sangha, Borivli who is also a former Secretary of Kandivli Kannada Sangha was also invited on to the stage and honoured.

Guest MC and Compere VJAvinashKamath of Spandana TV was also invited on to the stage and honoured with Memento and Shawl.

VJ Avinash took over the stage again for the cultural part of the programme which continued with Instrumental Folk Dance by Vidushi Sapna Kiran. Followed wasKarnataka Navarasollasa' beautifully presented by Vidushi Rohini Ananth.

Sumptuous wide spread buffet lunch was announced and the audience rushed and savored the delicious vegetarian dishes and quickly returned to grasp other cultural programmes lined up aftermath.

Afternoon session started withKolata – Cheluvayya Cheluvoo'by Mrudhuvani which was well applauded.

Later VJ Avinash announced the UAE Level Open to all Group Songs Competition. The rule had minimum 8 singers in any group who will be eligible and that the song selected should be either Kannada Folk, Patriotic or the one chosen from any emotion poetry. The duration should be within a maximum of 7 minutes with 5 minutes maximum time limit allowed for the stage setting before the presentation. Pre-recorded music or Karaoke was totally excluded but musical instruments were allowed. While the group weretotally dressed with purely traditional attire, repetition of songs was avoided by pre-registering in advance.

Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha UAE Level Group Singing Competition winners are:
1.Da. Ra. Bendre Team Dubai won 1st place lead by Sangeetha Shetty & Team, Dubai
2. Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sanga Team 1 won 2nd place lead by Prashant Shenoy& Team
3. Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha Team 2 won 3rd place lead by Divya Sharma & Team

The competition was ably judged by a panel of judges viz., Sudhakar Pejawar, Mrs. Vijaya Bhat &RavirajTantryThe winners walked away with Cash Awards and Tropies honoured by Dr. B.R. Shetty.

Later Manohar Thonse took over the stage and announced theHanigavana Vachana' rendered smoothly by Irshad Moodubidri, Prakash Rao Payyar, Gopinath Rao, Arshad Hussain, Avinash Bhat, Satish Kulal & Arati Ghatikaar.

Before the conclusion the participants and the Coordinators/Choreographers were invited on to the stage and honoured with Prizes, the honours of which were ably conducted by Sarvotham Shetty in his own style.

Continued with the Raffle draw bySarvotham Shetty along with Jet Air representative Karthik Ramalingam, Jayaram Rai, Shekar Shetty and all the committee Members presence the programme concluded in the late evening with vote of thanks.

Guest VJ Avinash Kamath as a MC conducted the whole programme smoothly and was honoured by Sarvotham Shetty amidst big laud applauds.

On the whole the vibrant Karnataka Rajyotsava Celebration in Abu Dhabi was conducted with much pride and honour systematically with the hard work of all the Committee Members of Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha ably lead by the leader Sarvotham Shetty.

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December 15,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 15: Educational institutions in Mangaluru that rely on the popular Mangala Stadium for their annual sports events are bracing for an inconvenience as the city's key sporting venue is set to close its gates for a significant upgrade. The stadium is expected to be unavailable for approximately two months starting from January 15, 2026.

The closure is necessitated by a proposed overhaul of the stadium's facilities, with a special focus on upgrading the synthetic track. Pradeep Dsouza, Assistant Director of the District of Youth Empowerment and Sports (DYES), Dakshina Kannada, confirmed the development.

"Experts have visited the stadium, conducted a thorough inspection, and have given the go-ahead for a complete makeover," Dsouza stated. "Funds have been allocated for the project, and we are currently awaiting the final green signal from state officials to commence the work. We anticipate that the work will likely begin in the second week of January. Consequently, we have stopped renting out the stadium to colleges and other organizations in preparation for the upgrade."

The timing presents a logistical challenge for colleges, as many schools have already concluded their sports meets.

"Colleges will now be organizing their events and will need to find alternative locations to host their sports meets," Dsouza added. He suggested a few potential venues, including the Dakshina Kannada police ground, University College grounds, Panambur grounds, Swaraj Maidan in Moodbidri, and the Mangalore University sports grounds in Konaje.

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Mangaluru, Dec 20: City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy has issued a high-alert warning to vehicle owners regarding a surge in cyber fraud targeting those looking to pay traffic violation fines. Fraudsters are reportedly exploiting recent government discount schemes on traffic penalties to deceive citizens.

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Already, two residents within Mangaluru city limits have reported significant financial losses after falling victim to these fraudulent apps.

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December 15,2025

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The Mangaluru–Muscat route was earlier operated under the 2025 summer schedule, with services beginning on July 14. At that time, Air India Express had operated four flights a week before suspending the service.

Officials said the summer schedule will come into effect from March 29, after which changes in flight timings and departure schedules from Mangaluru are expected. Passengers have been advised to check the latest schedules while planning their travel.

The resumption of direct flights to Muscat is expected to significantly benefit expatriates, business travellers and others, further strengthening Mangaluru’s air connectivity with the Gulf region.

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