Bulletin September 2023

The philosophy of personal success has been constantly acclaimed in our scriptural literature. It is a pity that the general tenor of preaching in our country distort this basic teaching of Hinduism so much that it drives away the majority from the serious study of religious lore, whose main function is to impart the teaching of the art of living. Far from being a religion of pessimism and negation, Hinduism is a vibrant culture, full of vitality, hope and promise of fulfilment. The Hindu religion does not consider the idea of renouncing the world as the cardinal duty set for man so long he remains in society. It glorifies the sanctity of a full life as a prerequisite for the final goal of liberation. ‘Renounce and enjoy the world’ does not enjoin renunciation of the world. It asks to renounce our selfishness and thus enjoy the world. It is an appeal to us to give an honest trial to the principles enunciated in the philosophy of personal success and lead a full life and thereby become shining lights of the community to which we belong.

The 37th Annual Day Celebrations of our Sabha were held on 15th and 20th August at our Prarthana Mandir. Sree Vishnu Sahasranama Pooja started at 09.30am with Vishnu Sahasranama Stotra parayan. The cultural competitions commenced with lighting of lamp by our little children in the presence of council members, Vanitha Vibhag and Yuvak representatives. Numerous competitions for all age groups from picking sweets and language test to konkani caption writing were conducted by the Yuvak team. There was an active cooperation and participation from the Samajiks of all agesjuniors and seniors. The competitions continued till evening.

The forenoon session concluded at 1:30 pm with Aarathi and Samooha Prarthana, followed by a scrumptious Maha Nivedyam. In the afternoon session, remaining competitions were conducted followed by cultural programmes. This year, two dramas based on current social issues were performed- ‘Yamunakkane Ghar’ by the Vanitha Vibhag directed by Sri Vijaya Mallaya and ‘Undo Khamcho Madhav’ by the Yuvak Team directed by Vishnupriya P. Both were well received by the audience. The competitions and cultural programmes came to an end after the Lucky Draw in the evening. The Annual Sathyanarayana Pooja by Mahajan was held on 20th August. After Sahasranama parayan, rendering of Bhajans, Maha Aarathi and Samooha Prarthana, Sabha karyakram commenced.

Academic excellence awards and prizes to winners of cultural competitions were presented by senior Samajiks and well wishers Sarvashri Ratnakar Rao P, M V Gopinath Pai and D Janardhana Prabhu. Silver Jubilee Cash prize of our samaj was awarded to Namratha Umesh Pai, SVR Nayak cash prize was awarded to Rishikesh Naick G, and Rohith Pai V. Ram Narayan H, Devesh Krishna V Bhat, Sanjay K Rao, Dhanya D and Jnanesh Naick D, were felicitated for their Plus Two marks. Krishnanand D Shenoi, for Bcom, Praveena S and Archana D Shenoi for post graduation, Sreenath for PG Diploma, Parvati M Pai for LLM and Dr Savitha H for MD Pediatrics, were honoured for their academic excellence. Grama Purohit Rathish Bhat and our Annadatha Sreenivas Naik were honoured by the Mahasabha.

Shri P Gopinath Kamath presented two books written by him in Konkani language, Saptasarani and Navatarang to all academic winners and to the directors and participants of the Konkani drama.

The outgoing President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Vanitha Pradhan thanked the Samajiks for their unstinted cooperation and support to carry out services to the community and organize all activities during their tenure. The election for new office bearers of Trivandrum samaj for 2023-2028 took place. Senior Samajik Sri Vijaya Mallya was nominated as the Returning officer by the general body for the election of new council members. The returning officer solicited suggestions from the general body for names to the new council. The Returning officer then received a panel consisting of 15 Council members and Vanitha Pradhan which was read out and unanimously accepted by the general body. Adv K G Mohandas Pai, Somanatha Prabhu V, Ranga Naik R, Sathish Prabhu N, Harikumar N, Suresh Kamath R, Satheesh Kamath R, Naveen Kumar A, Santhosh S Prabhu, Sachin P Shenoy, Muraleedhar V R, Suresh Bhatt R S, M S Balakrishna Hegden, M Sachithanandha Prabhu and Vinod V Pai were the 15 members approved by the General body as the new council members and Manju P M as the Vanitha Pradhaan for the next term of five years.

The 37th annual celebrations ended up with prasad distribution and Maha nivedyam. Choody Pooja and distribution of Veedo among the Sumangalies were performed on all Sravan Aithars Sree Varalekshmi Vritha Pooja and Archana were also performed by Sumangalees on 25th Friday evening. Rig Upakarma Havan was performed on 29th Tuesday morning. A large number of Grahasthas and Brahmacharies participated and performed Noothana Yagnopaveetha dharan.