Qatar: KMCA celebrates Karnataka Rajyotsava

Doha, Nov 12: The Karnataka Muslim Cultural Association (KMCA), an affiliate of Indian Cultural Centre under the aegis of the Embassy of India, State of Qatar, celebrated the 59th Karnataka Rajyotsava at Doha, Qatar at Al-Maha Academy for Boys- Ain Khalid, on Friday, November 7.

In keeping with the KMCA tradition, a token in cash, along with bouquet, was presented on behalf of the guests, to KMCA special needs coordinator Iqbal Manna who then handed over the same to the newly elected president of ICBF (Indian Community Benevolent Fund) Arvind Patil.

The president Niyaz Ahmed greeted the guests and the gathering then Manjunath introduced the felicitations for the evening.

To recognize and honour the unsung heroes of Karnataka, KMCA flew in Devaraju S R, the ambulance driver from BGS Global Hospital in Kengeri who helped in safe transport of a heart for a transplant operation to take place in Chennai, raced his part of the six-hour tight programme of 47.5 Kms from Kingeri to Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, in a record time of 45 minutes. Devaraj was escorted to the dias by KMCA joint secretary Mujeeb & KMCA Ladies wing coordinator Syed Ashfaq.

Devaraj was felicitated by the dignitaries on the dais and KMCA executive committee Divakar Poojari an avid social worker and a prominent Kannadiga personality, known for his selfless demeanour towards the larger Indian community residing in Qatar. He was also felicitated during the evening.

Chief guest K M Varghese addressed the gathering and congratulated the Kannadiga community on the 59th Karnataka Rajyotsava. He emphasized the importance of keeping the rich cultural heritage alive among the expat community residing in Qatar.

KMCA Ladies’ wing distributed the prizes to the winners of the Explore Karnataka quiz competition held on October 31 as a precursor to Rajyotsava celebration. Ruksana Shaikh compered the segment and was helped by Aisha Rafique and Reshma Banu.

The quiz masters Arun Kumar and Milan Arun gave away the prizes in two categories.

The KMCA annual Souvenir, ‘Pragati’ in its second issue 2014, was released during the event. Editor-in-chief and KMCA PR Ahmed Saeed Assadi presented the first copy to the dignitaries on the dais and KMCA executive committee and lady’s wing. The souvenir was thereafter distributed in the gathering.

KMCA joint secretary Mohammed Mujeeb proposed vote of thanks.

The stage was well decorated for Indushree to mesmerize the gathering with her ventriloquism and she did a fantastic job. The children were all on the floor in front of the stage and the adults were jumping off their chairs in awe.

She presented the talking White Board, The Old Man Venky and The SmartHat Dinku. The three part presentation was filled in humour and comedy by the duo Y Gundu Rao and N Ramanath who kept the crowd entertained with mixed Kannada and Hindi jokes and adapted songs.

KMCA president and executive committee expressed their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the sponsors and supporters of KMCA namely, Euro Parts, Golden Trading, SBMK, National Waterproofing, Proscape, ALM, QDC.