Sarvajanika Ganeshotsava Samiti Holds ‘Tene Habba’ at Omkar Nagar
Mangaluru: To mark the 14th anniversary of Sarvajanika Ganeshotsava, the Ganeshotsava Samiti and Siddi Vinayaka Prathistana, held “Tene Habba”, (Blessing of the New corn) at Omkar Nagar, Bunts Hostel here on August 25.
Wing Commander Naduuhithlu Mohan Rai and Indira Mohan Rai hoisted the Ganeshotsava flag. The new corn was brought in a procession by the President of Buntara Yane Nadavara Matr Sangha and Managing Trustee of Sri Siddivanayaka Prathistana Ajith Kumar Rai Maladi.
The programme began with an invocation. Ajith Kumar Rai Maladi welcomed the gathering and delivered the keynote address. President of Karnataka Theatres Dr Ashok Alva and Jyothi A Alva inaugurated the Ganeshotsava programme by lighting the traditional lamp along with other dignitaries on the dais.
Addressing the gathering Dr Ashok Alva said that the Ganesha Chaturthi is a major festival for the Bunt community. I have seen Ajith Kumar Rai Maladi organizing Ganeshotsava from the past 13 years. Hope the 14th year Ganeshotsava celebrations will be successful.
Addressing the gathering Wing Commander Naduuhithlu Mohan Rai said, “Ganeshotsava is the only festival which brings the entire Bunt community together. Ganesha is one of the most popular Gods and is considered a symbol of wisdom and brings luck. Any function in the Bunt community will start with a prayer for Ganesha because he is the great clearer of obstacles. Historic records reveal that the Ganeshotsava was started in Maharastra by Chatrapati Shivaji to promote culture and nationalism. Later Indian nationalist Bal Gangadhar Tilak converted this festival from private family celebrations into a public function. Bal Gangadhar Tilak popularised the Ganesha Chathurthi as a national festival to reduce the gap between Brahmins and Non-Brahmins.”
Naduuhithlu Mohan Rai further said, “Today in the 21st century with the world converging into a global village, Ganesha Chaturthi is celebrated all over the world where the Hindu Community is present. Nowadays we see corruption, people holding Swiss bank accounts etc. and the tragedy is that patriotism is dying down. Nationalism means an Independent nation, where people share the same culture, history and language. It is the duty of every citizen to protect democracy and independence of our country. We should remember the soldiers who have sacrificed their lives to protect us from our enemies. When we celebrate the Ganesha Chaturthi let us all respect the national flag and conserve national resources. Let the politicians, judiciary and Media make sincere efforts to enhance the patriotic spirit among the people. Let us all work together to build this country into a great nation by reducing corruption, poverty, black money and reducing the gap between the rich and the poor”.
The blessed new corn was distributed to the devotees by Dr Naveenchandra Shetty and Geetha Shetty.
Vasanth Shetty delivered the vote of thanks.