Mangaluru: The valedictory of National-level Bunts Convention was held at the Town Hall here on Frebruary 7.
The programme began with an invocation. Bhasker Rai Kukkuvalli welcomed the gathering.
Addressing the gathering Esha Vittaldasa Swamiji said, “This convention is a inter-religious meet. The Bunt community has invited people from all walks of life. Bunt community has accepted all the community religious heads. I don’t know which religion I belong to because I love the poor and the downtrodden, so I belong to the poor and the nature. This convention is not the end but this is the beginning of inter-religious dialogue”.
Recalling a story of two brothers, Swamiji said, “In a village two brothers were living happily. When their parents died the brothers thought of dividing the property. The parents thinking of their children had divided everything into two parts for both their sons but there was only a mirror left which they were unable to divide. So they went to the religious head to divide the mirror. The priest broke the mirror and said to collect their share. Both the brothers asked the priest why he broke the mirror. The priest replied and said that, you both are born to the same parents and now you are trying to go away from each other. Once the relationship is broken it cannot be fixed like the mirror.
Swamiji further said that mothers are the main point of culture. Educate your children, teach them the moral values and make them a disciplined person in the society.
Speaking on the occasion Dr B M Hegde said, “Scientifically we all are relatives. Actually I am away from the Bunts community programmes and I am also not a member of the association, but when Sadananda Shetty invited me I was unable to refuse”. He further said that earlier there were no Swamijis for the Bunts community. But now there are many Swamijis and all Swamijis are well accepted by the Bunts community. I have heard Esha Vittaldasa Swamiji’s speech for the first time. He spoke practically, Culture means not a music, yakshagana or singing. What a person does when no one is seeing, that is our culture. Once upon a time the society was believing in the Bunt community and when there were any problems, people used to go for justice to the community leaders/heads. The Bunts were known to be people who walk the talk, whatever they talk they would do it. Now the Bunt community has lost its unity. Speaking about God Dr Hegde said, “There is small difference between man and God because God gives and forgives and man gets and forgets”.
He further said that, where we need to give and forgive, we have forgotten everything. In any community there should be brotherhood and harmony, in our community wherever we see, there is problem. In Bengaluru, Mumbai and Mangaluru the Bunt community is divided, we Bunts should be united and be a role model. Bunts have contributed a lot and they have reached the top levels. When a man has ego all the problems will arise. A child smiles 500 to 1000 times a day and the child is very healthy and happy. He also criticized the present education system and said that children are not interested to go to school. But parents forcibly send the child to school.
He urged the Bunt leaders to be united wherever they are and not divide the community. We fight in the name of religion, caste, colour, language and organization. We are trying to divide the society instead of uniting it. If you fight within the community what advise will you give to your children? he questioned. Children watch their parents, whatever you do they will follow you. The Bunt community should retain their culture and lead their children with example. Let all the leaders leave aside their ego and be united to strengthen the community. Let the International Bunts Welfare Trust grow like a banyan tree and protect all the other Bunt organizations.
District minister In-charge B Ramanath Rai congratulated the organizers for organizing the convention. Amarnath Shetty presented the resolutions of the trust and Sadananda Shetty handed it over to Minister Ramanath Rai. Minister Abhaychandra Jain, MLAs J R Lobo and Moideen Bava, Kodijal Ibrahim, Sashidhar Hegde, Sarvotham Shetty, Mitun Rai, Praveen Chandra Alva were present on the occasion.
From 8:30 AM “Udayaraga”, was held which was followed by women’s convention at 9:30 am. Dr Kripa Amar Alva was the chief guest. MLA Shakuntala Shetty presided over the women’s convention. Telikeda Kusal was performed by Mumbai Bunts at 12 noon, from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm “Telike Urkarnaga”, a tulu comedy show by Kapikad team was also performed. Alva’s Kalavaibhava team presented a dance programme which mesmerised the crowd.
To attract youngsters towards the convention, “Young Bunts couple” contest was held and 8 couples participated in the contest. Gurukiran presented a musical nite. Dr D k Chowta delivered the presidential address.
United we stand divided we fall, Very well said by a stalwart from bunt community like Dr.B.M.Hegde