UAE: The 44th anniversary celebrations of the UAE Bunts was held in a resplendent manner at J.W. Mariott, Deira Dubai on Friday, May 11.
Music and cultural extravaganza marked the day-long programme grand event combined with awards presentation, honouring of outstanding students, guests felicitations, dance competition etc.
The guests were welcomed with group of traditional drum beaters and sounds of horns lined up with Bunts ladies in traditional sarees holding ‘Kalasha’ accompanying the guests on to the stage.
Patron of UAE Bunts, Padmashree Dr. B.R. Shetty along with awardee Dr. Sunitha Shetty, Guest World Bunts Federation President Aikala Harish Shetty, Bahrain Bunts President, Nagesh Shetty, Oman Bunts President Shashidhar Shetty, Kuwait Bunts President Shekar Shetty, Saudia Bunts President Mahesh Hegde, Guest of Honour Karnoor Mohan Rai, Sandalwood Actor Asthik Avinash Shetty were some of the prominent Bunts who were special invitees at the event. The programme begun with the traditional lighting of the lamp. Sangeetha Shetty and Vaishnavi Shetty performed the prayers, and Sparsha Shetty and Sannidhi Shetty performed the welcome dance. Later Committee Member Santosh Rai welcomed the audience.
Well-known TV Anchor of Namma TV Yedmar Naveen Shetty who had flown all the way from India, conducted the programme in Tulu in his imitable style.
Children’s dance groups comprising of Saujanya Rai, Vijaya Jogi, Naveen, Veena Shetty, Mohnisha Shetty, Anisha, Keerthi, Ritesh, Chaitra presented some of the memorable dances, well-choreographed and with beautiful costumes.
‘Little Prince’ completion started early with the leadership of Manoj Shetty and the first round was held initially,
Later Sarvotham Shetty invited the 2017-18 Working Committee Members on to the stage and an introductory session was held. They were all honoured for the programmes the Committee presented during the year. The new committee for 2018-19 was announced and all the new committee members were invited on the stage and their introduced given.
Dr. B.R. Shetty honored the Sponsors with flower and mementos and. The guests from the GCC Countries, Main Guests from India & abroad were all invited on to the stage and honoured with flower and mementos.
Dr. B.R. Shetty couple was specially honoured on the stage in the presence of the Committee and Chief Guests.
‘Bunta Vibhushana’ award bestowed on Dr. Sunitha Shetty
Mangalorean from Kalaavari native who graduated and later started her career in Mumbai completing her post-graduation in Mumbai University and who served as a Professor in the same University, Dr. Sunitha Shetty was felicitated and bestowed with ‘Bunta Vibhushana’ Award on the stage. She was honoured with Shawl, Fruit Basket, Flower Bouquet, Memento and Felicitation Letter which was read by Ganesh Rai. The proceedings were done ably by Dr. B.R. Shetty, Sarvotham Shetty and all the Guests on the stage. Dr. Sunita, a social activist who has served for more than 23 years for the society was also an author of many books and was honoured by Governments of Maharastra and Karnataka as well as many social and community organizations in India.
Wide spread sumptuous buffet lunch was served in the afternoon and at the same time very many Bunts singers kept the audience entertained with their melodious numbers while buffet lunch was served to the guests.
Bunts achievers and toppers honored
Some of the achievers and toppers in the Community were recognized and honoured during the programme. Kandavara Satish Shetty was honoured with ‘Energy Award’ & Sudhakar Shetty was honoured with ‘Social Service Award’.
Students who earlier had received UAE’s Government appreciated Sh. Hamdan Award & Social Award for Educational Excellency, Sparsha Prakash Shetty, Yayin Kiran Rai & Vibhali Prasad Shetty were honoured by UAE Bunts Family.
Ami Sushanth Shetty, Anvi Santosh Shetty, Bhauthik Dhanpal Shetty, Sanvi Kiran Rai & Sanvi Preeth Shetty were honoured for their excellence in ‘Education Sector’
Anchit A.S. Shetty, Suvali Pradeep Shetty & Saisha Pradeep Shetty were honoured for their excellence in the field of Sports.
Super Chef Awardee Hema Mahesh Shetty who recently received appreciation by legend Asha Bhonsle was also honoured with ‘Cookery Award’.
The man with golden finger, Ganesh Rai, an creative art director who has been designing beautiful digital creations like banners, pamphlets, backdrops etc. for Bunts as well as for various other associations in the UAE for the past many years, was invited on to the stage and honoured with flower, shawl and memento by Dr. B.R. Shetty.
Media representatives were also honoured during the event.
Group dance presentation ‘Show Dances’ by Sachin Mada & Hema Shetty were beautifully presented. A power packed dance choreographed by Prasanna Poojary from the movie ‘Padmavath’ was an eye stealer. The dance movement of Sachin Mada is noteworthy mentioning. It was a clean replica of the original movie with the realistic background scenes.
Children dance competitions were ably conducted and the winners under the category below 16 years age were Abu Dhabi Group with first prize & Dubai Group with second prize.
‘Little Prince’ competition continued with various rounds and the winners were – First:- Yayin Kiran Rai, Second: Aditya Dinesh Shetty. Best message: Master Bhavik Dhanpal Shetty; Best introduction: Master Tanay Pradeep Shetty, Best Yoga Pose: Master Arush Nandraj Shetty. In Bold – Boys the winner is Master Nabith & in Girls it was Saisha Sharath Shetty. Maximum Likes in Facebook:- Yayin Kiran Rai & Grisha Anith Hegde in boys & girls respectively. In best traditional costume & attire:- Tanish Prakash Pakkala (Boys) & Sanvi Devi Prasad Shetty (Girls).
In the ‘Birusudha Bunter’ Skit competition the winners are: First – Abu Dhabi Group & Second – Al Ain Group.
On the whole, all the participants gave an electrifying performances which made the ‘44th annual celebration of UAE Bunts’ a festival of culture in its true colour.
All the winners were later honoured with prizes. Raffle winners were also announced.
Sarvotham Shetty concluded the programme with vote of thanks.
