Dubai: November will be a special month for Tuluvas and Tulunadu. Its the month in which the Vishwa Tulu Samelana 2018, under the leadership of Rajyotsava Awardee Sarvotham Shetty is slated to be held in this Gulf paradise, close to Tulunad’s shores. It’s an extravagant event that will celebrate the Tulu langauge and the rich cultural heritage of the Tuluvas. Naturally all Tuluvas, wherever they may be are thrilled at the news.
Philanthropist and Hereditary Administrator of the Dharmasthala Temple, popularly known as the “Dharmadikari” Dr. D Veerendra Heggade is expected to inaugurate the event organised under the joint aegis of premier organisations in the Tulu cause, Kolli Tulu Koota, Akhila Bharatha Tulu Okoota and Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy. Padmashree Dr B R Shetty, Patron of Tuluvas in Dubai will preside. Also, eminent personalities such as, the President, Alvas Education Foundation Dr. Mohan Alva, Bishop of Mangaluru Diocese Most Rev. Dr. Peter Paul Saldhana, Bishop of Udupi Diocese Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Issac Lobo, NRI Entrepreneur Ronald Colaco, Managing Director of SSIS Pvt. Ltd. Dharmapal Devadiga, Bollywood star Sunil Shetty, Housing and Urban Development Minister U T Khader and many others will be joining the mega event.
According to the information received, around 4000 people will be attending the Tulu festival, that is going to be held in the “City of Gold”, Dubai’s Al Naser Ice Rink on November 23 and 24. Around 2000 of them will fly down from India! Chief Convener Sarvotham Shetty talking to NewsKarnataka seemed overwhelmed with the response to the event. “This is the Vishwa Tulu Sammelana in real as Tuluvas residing in all nooks and corners of the World are attending the event. Beyond India and GCC countries, we have received registrations from UK, USA and other Western Countries also. It makes us happy that people are coming together under one cause “Recognition for Tulu Language”. “This is a event of Tuluvas cutting across religious boundaries and that is the specialty of this event’ he added.
The Travel agents too are doing their bit to facilitate travel of the delegates so they do not have to fret about visas, tickets and stay at Dubai during the conference. Wanderlust Tourism which is headed by Shodhan Prasad who is also the Total Event Manager of Vishwa Tulu Sammelana along with Sabith Shetty are at the forefront of this activity. Similarly, Rajesh Alva, Mahesh Shetty and Harish Shetty have arranged a special tourist package for this event. The cost of the package per head will be Rs. 35000, which will comprise of 4 days and 5 nights. The whole of the 5th day of the package has been reserved for the event. Many have already availed of this package, and delegates and tentative attendees are encouraged to seal the deal quickly.
The event will also see 250 plus artists entertaining the audience with different forms of art and dance. Besides a galaxy of Costalwood actors including BaleTelipale comedy show stars, Yakshagana artists and members of various Tulu Kootas across India will fly to Dubai to be part of this historical event.
