Kundapur, Mar 18: Prof K G Shanbhogue has been appointed president of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP, Udupi district fraternal committee of Brahmins, for the Udupi taluk by Udayakumar Talluru, district chief secretary, Kundapur.  

This appointment has been done on the recommendation of Mayawati, chief minister Uttar Pradesh and national chief secretary of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), as also that of the state president of the fraternal committee of Brahmins wing commander G B Atri (retd).  

Udupi, Mar 16: 'Varnotsav '08', a two-day exhibition of paintings of over 100 artists from Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts, was hosted in the city on Saturday March 15.

The objectives of the exhibition were to exhibit a variety of paintings of the artists, provide a platform to them to meet and interact, promote original paintings, facilitate sale of paintings and bring unrecognized artists to light.

Registrar of Manipal University T Ranga Pai, Peter Lewis, artists, M R Hegde, director of Poornaprajna College, Ganesh Somayajee, Vasanth Rao and Basavaraj Kutni artists were felicitated at Hotel Rukmini Residency on March 16.

Peter Lewis, while acknowledging the felicitations, said that art serves as a medium which enjoys no limits.  Art exhibition like 'Varnotsav '08' would be a boon to those who cannot afford to hold solo painting exhibition.

Ganesh Somayaji, urged the fellow artists to work together despite of differences of ideas.

'Varnotsava '08' will be concluded on Sunday March 16.

Kundapur, Mar 13: The local Congress workers are in a rejoicing mood after former minister and Brahmavar MLA K Jayaprakash Hegde formally announced that he is joining Congress. Once Hegde himself confirmed this news, there was no bound to the joy of Congress workers who had been trying their best to get Hegde into Congress for long.

 MLC and KPCC vice-president K Prathapchandra Shetty who was present on the occasion said it was a unanimous decision of the party to accept Jayaprakash Hegde and there were no problems whatsoever in this regard.

Speaking at the block Congress meeting Jayaprakash Hegde said he had consulted all the senior leaders of the Congress party and that he would be formally introduced in to the party during a mega convention within a few days. 

Speaking on the occasion Prathapchandra Shetty further said “Jayaprakash Hegde’s entry into Congress has come at a right time.  His presence will surely bolster the party in the entire coastal belt. He is a leader with vision and has mass support.  The very fact that he had been elected twice as an independent candidate shows that he is a people’s man and that he works for the welfare of the people.”

More than 500 Congress workers attended the meeting.  Block Congress president Shivram Shetty welcomed the gathering and Jyothi Putran proposed the vote of thanks.

This year too "SAKATH" has organized a day long gala picnic on 04.04.08 at Flamingo Beach Resort, Umm Al Quwain from 9.30 am to 5.00 pm. This picnic will be filled with Fun, Entertainment and Variety of Games. President of SAKATH, Kelvin D Souza while releasing the news to the media informed that this picnic will definitely help the participants to come out of their routine work stresses. He further informed that his team is fully geared up to give the best.

This year's picnic is open to all but on “first come first served” basis.  All Thottamites have been requested to inform their friends, relatives to participate in this fun filled event and make it a grand success.

For further information and entry coupons kindly contact:

Mr. Kelvin D’Souza        : 050 351 3880

Mr. Alfred D’Souza         : 050 696 9589

Mr. Sunil D’Souza           : 050 450 1257

Mrs. Gretta D’Souza       : 04-2725073

Mrs. Nancy D’Almeida   : 04-2732645 / 050 525 4993

Kundapur, Mar 12: "The world today is becoming highly competitive. Our future will be secure only if our women-folk are empowered," elucidated parish priest Fr Antony Lobo of Kundapur ward while speaking on the occasion of the women’s day celebrations organized under the auspices of Holy Rosary Women’s Association here recently.

Fr Lobo opined, 'the responsibility of our women is in no way less on that account, for they are the custodians of our future generation, whose conduct and character normally reflect that of their parents, especially their mothers. If this aspect is borne in mind, then gender inequality would vanish by itself,' he added.

Furthermore he stated, 'Mere passing of enactments by our legislators or the parliamentarians for that matter would not help us, unless and until such noble intentions comes from the depths of our hearts. Just as charity begins at home, so also social transformation such as empowerment of women should first take place in our hearths or what we call kitchens,' he added.

Moreover he advised, 'Let our parents first stop discriminating among their children, such as preferring boys to girls. This is a highly repulsive trend and irrelevant in the context of the dynamic changes taking place throughout the globe. Male-dominated world must and should make way for the dawn of gender equality," he concluded.

Principal Fr Prakash Cutinho, chief of Convent Sr Ida, vice-president Basil D’Souza, secretary Diana Almeida, president of women’s association Victoria D’Souza, secretary Vinaya D’Costa and Shaila Almeida were present on the occasion. On the special occasion, five exceptional women were felicitated for their work in their respective fields.

President Victoria D’souza welcomed the gathering. Secretary Vinaya D’Costa read out the report while treasurer Shaila Almeida read out the financial statements of the association. Jacintha Pais compered the programme and Dorin D’Souza proposed the vote of thanks.