Kuwait: Billava Sangha (BSK) celebrated the 161st birthday of Brahma Shree Narayana Guru Swamy on 11 September, 2015, at the Indian Community School, Salmiya from 5 pm onwards.
Brahma Shree Narayana Guru Swamy was a social reformer of India. He was born in an era when people from backward communities faced many social injustices in the caste-ridden society of Kerala. Gurudeva, as he was known by his followers, led a reform movement in Kerala, rejected casteism 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 Suresh Kochath from the Saradhi Association Kuwait (Narayan Guru followers from Kerala), Ashok Poojary – president of the Navachethna Welfare Association, and Rohith Sanil – a well-wisher of Billava Sangha.
The event commenced with a 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. President Chitrek Bangera, while welcoming the devotees, requested everyone to unite and work together for the welfare of the Billava community. It was followed by a speech that was beautifully rendered by Ashwitha Surendra on the life and deeds of Shree Narayan Guru Swamy.
A fancy dress competition for children on the theme “Namma Ooruda Kula Kasabu” was then held, while the elder children competed in an elocution competition. The competition was very tough with every child doing his/her very best. The judges were Chandrashekar Kotian, Satish Acharya and Praveen Kotian. Tejas Poojary bagged the first prize in the age group of 0-6 years (Fancy dress competition), while the second prize winner was Tanush Poojary. The first prize winner in the age group 6-9 years was Krishal Poojay 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.
A bhajan was then recited by the Billava Sangh Bhajan team followed with the Maha Mangala Arthi. Brahma Shree Narayan Gurupuja festival was very well executed by Manoj Anchan.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by the General Secretary Vijay Kavoor and a delightful dinner served by Udupi Restaurant. The mantapa was very well arranged and decorated by 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.