Bangkok: Thai Kannada Balaga (TKB), an association of Kannadigas living in Thailand celebrated Kannada Rajyotsava & Deepavali on 1st Nov 2015 at the Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit Soi 57 Bangkok.
The celebration, one of the annual events of TKB, was inaugurated by H.E. Mr. Harsh Vardhan Shringla Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Thailand. Mr. Shringla talked about the importance of culture & language. He emphasized on the importance of education & skill development which is important to a country like India with large young population. Mr. Shringla also congratulated the Thai Kannada Balaga for their active involvement in the activities of Indian community.
Dr. Chandrashekhara Damle, an educationalist from Dakshina Kannada district was felicitated on this occasion for his work in uplifting primary & secondary education in Kannada medium. Dr. Damle runs a Kannada Medium school in Sullia which focuses on total personality development of children. He is also the recipient of ‘Asamanya Kannadiga’ award given by Suvarna News & Kannada Prabha.
Mr. Raghavendra Auradkar, Additional Director General of Police, Recruitment and Training, Bangalore was the chief guest on this occasion. Mr. Susheel Saraff, president of Saraff group, DCM Mr. Abbagani Ramu, Indian Mission, Mr. Avi Prakash, Indian Mission were also the guests of this celebration.
Mr. Sreerama K, president of Thai Kannada Balaga welcomed the gathering. Mr. Naveen Roshan Pinto, secretary of Thai Kannada Balaga and office bearers, former presidents Ravi MB, Muthu, Mohandas, Habib, Vinay Rai and Vincy Daniel Pinto & members of TKB felicitated the guests of honour.
The Program started with the prayer by Anagha Lakshminarayana.
Eminent Singer Mr. Y K Muddukrishna and his team (Mr. Kekkeri Krishnamurthy, Mr. Shrinivas Udupa & Ms. Seema Raikar) entertained the audience with Kannada Songs. Mrs. Nagalakshmi Rao & team from Krishna Foundation Bangalore gave performance of several dance formats.
Bharatantya performance by Vidwan Nagabhushan Rao & team was one of the attractions in the cultural program.
The children of Thai Kannada Balaga also performed in the cultural program. Lucky Draws, Fashion show by TKB couples was a major attraction. Sameer Damle and Setu Havanur compered the entire programme.
The program also provided a platform for all Kannadigas for networking.
