Oman Billawas celebrate first anniversary

Mangalore Today News Network

Oman, Apr 18: Oman Billawas celebrated their first anniversary at the Ramee Dream Resort in Seeb on April 16, Friday. The event attracted a large number of Billawas. 

The venue was decorated with flowers. Umesh Jeppu and Mrs. Suchetana Anchan, the comperers of the event, began the day by invoking the blessings of the Almighty. President of Oman Billawas Shri Pithamber B Alke, Shree S K Poojary, Shri and Smt Ashok Suvarna, Shri and Smt Aroon Sanil, Shri and Smt Umesh Bantwal, Shri and Smt Narayan Poojari, Dr. and Mrs. Anchan C.K, Shri and Smt Ramesh Poojary lit the huge oil lamp that was placed before a portrait of Shree Narayana Guru, which was adorned with garlands of fresh jasmine, pingara, and bunches of tender coconuts. This was followed by Shreya Bangera’s Odyssey performance “Avi Pallavi,” an invocation of the Almighty. 

Shri Pithamber B Alke gave the welcome speech. He announced various scholastic prizes to be awarded to the students of Classes VII, VIII, and IX. These scholarships were contributed by Shri Aroon Sanil in memory of his mother, Smt Jalajakshi Sadashiv, he said. Mentioning that a General Help Committee was formed to help the needy and the deserving, he requested members to contribute toward the noble cause and refer deserving people to the founding members. 

The new website of Oman Billawas, www.omanbillawas.com, a brainchild of Dr. Anchan C K, was launched by Shri P B Alake. Prizes were later distributed to the winners of various sports events. Medals and cups were handed over to the winners by Shri P B Alake, Shri Jayanth Salian, Shree Narayan Poojary, Shri Prasad Amin, Shri Anand Sanil, Shri Gangadhar Poojary, Dr. Shodan Kumar, Shri Ramesh Poojary, Dr. Praveen Kumar, Shri S K Poojary, Shri Umesh Karkera, Dr. Anchan C K, and Shri Aroon Sanil. The founding members of Oman Billawas also awarded 8 Billawa children for their exceptional achievements. 

The highlights of the event were entertaining programmes, lucky draws, folk programmes, and dance programmes culminating in a fitting tribute to India. The post-lunch session comprised a mind blowing fashion walk and Pili Vesha. After tea, “Koti Chennayya,” a popular Yakshagana play in Tulu, was staged by Yaksha Prathibe, Mangalore. The Yakshagana artistes were later felicitated by the Shri Pithamber B Alke.