Dubai, U.A.E. — Shri Vakawady Praveen Kumar Shetty has been unanimously elected as the new President of U.A.E. Bunts, one of the oldest and most active pro-Karnataka organizations representing non-resident Kannadigas in the United Arab Emirates.
The announcement was made during the Annual General Meeting of the Bunts Executive Board, held at the Fortune Atrium Hotel Hall, Karama, Dubai, on December 14, 2024.
The event, which commenced at 3:00 PM, saw the official handover of leadership from the outgoing President, Shri. Sarvotham Shetty, to Shri. Praveen Kumar Shetty. The new President, who has served as Vice President for several years, expressed his gratitude to the management board and pledged to lead the organization toward greater success. He emphasized the importance of collective advice and cooperation from all members to achieve their shared goals.
A Legacy of Service and Community Engagement
U.A.E. Bunts has a distinguished history spanning 47 years, marked by its dedication to community welfare and cultural preservation. The organization’s signature initiatives include the Annual Friendship Meet, Shree Satyanarayan Puja, Vihara Koota, Sports Koota, Cricket tournaments, Blood donation camps, and providing education assistance to underprivileged students. These activities underscore its commitment to serving both the local and global Kannada communities.
The 47th anniversary of U.A.E. Bunts was celebrated in 2024 with the grand Gulf Buntsava Dubai event, further solidifying the organization’s reputation as a cornerstone of the Kannada diaspora in the region.
New Governing Body for 2025 & 2026
The new Governing Body for the 2025 & 2026 term has been announced as follows:
- Patron: Shri. Sarvotham Shetty
- President: Shri. Vakawady Praveen Kumar Shetty
- Vice President: Shri. Premnath Shetty
- General Secretary: Shri. Raviraj Shetty
- Members of the Core Committee: Shri. Ratnakar Shetty, Shri. Gunasheel Shetty, Shri. Sujat Shetty, Shri. B.K. Ganesh Rai, Shri. Sundar Shetty, Shri. Sajan Shetty, and Shri. Dinesh Shetty Kottinija.
New Organizing Committee for 2025 & 2026
The new organizing Committee members from various regions are as follows:
- Abu Dhabi: Shri. Nitya Prakash Shetty / Smt. Keerthi Shetty, Shri. Prasanna Shetty / Smt. Megha Shetty, Shri. Sheesh Hegde / Smt. Vidyashree Hegde, Shri Kiran Shetty / Smt. Deepa Shetty.
- Dubai: Shri. Din Raj Shetty / Smt. Deepti Shetty, Shri. Anoop Shetty / Smt. Chaitra Shetty, Shri. Vasanth Shetty /Smt. Rajita Shetty, Shri. Supraj Shetty / Smt. Prithvi Shetty, Shri. Sitaram Shetty / Smt. Ashwini Shetty, Shri. Gokul Dasse Rai / Smt. Nishmita.
- Ras Al Khaimah: Shri. Sampath Shetty / Smt. Lasya Shetty.
The outgoing President, Shri. Sarvotham Shetty, extended his best wishes to the new leadership team, expressing confidence in their ability to uphold the organization’s values and build on its legacy.
The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks, followed by refreshments, marking a successful transition and the beginning of a new chapter for U.A.E. Bunts.
