Billava Sangha Kuwait celebrated the 161st birthday of Brahma Shree Narayana Guru Swamy on 11th September 2015, at the Indian Community School, Salmiya from 5pm onwards.
Brahma shree Narayana Guru Swamy 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 Navachethana Welfare Association and Mr. Rohith Sanil, a well-wisher of Billava Sangha.
The event commenced with the prayer song rendered by Mithun Vishwanath, Dhanraj Thalpady, Jyothi Suvarna, Ashwitha Surendra, Sudha Sandesh, Sujith Amin, Gautham Suvarna, Amarnath Suvarna 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. Ashwitha Surendra on the life and deeds of Shree Narayan Guru Swamy.
Fancy dress competition for children on the theme ‘Namma Ooruda 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 judges were Mr. Chandrashekar Kotian, Mr. Satish Acharya and Mr. Praveen Kotian. Tejas Poojary bagged the first prize in the age group of 0-6 years (Fancy dress competition), whereas the second prize winner was Tanush Poojary. The first prize winner in the age group 6-9 years was Krishal Poojary and second prize won by Nikilesh Poojary. The first prize in the 9-15 age group (Elocution competition) was bagged by Arrushi Manoj Kumar, while Jahnvi Chitrek Bangera won the second prize.
Bhajan was then recited by Billava Sangha Bhajan team followed with the Maha Mangala Aarthi. Brahma Shree Narayan Guru pooja festival was very well executed by Manoj Anchan.
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. Dhanraj Thalpady and his team. The photography was ably handled by Sandeep Attavar, while the event was very well hosted by Manoj Bangera and Sushma Bangera.
Report by: Suresh Shyam Rao Neramballi, Kuwait.
