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First Branch at Abu Dhabi
 First
full fledged Overseas Branch of Bharat Vikas Parishad under the
title ‘India Cultural Development Forum’ was established at Abu
Dhabi on 6th Feb 2009. The opening ceremony was a mega event as
far as the members and Indian society in Abu Dhabi were
concerned. Thus the efforts of our Central Office, to establish
a full-fledged overseas Branch, were fulfilled. The programme
was arranged at I.S.S. Hall, one of the biggest community halls
in Abu Dhabi.
The
meeting started at 6:30 p.m. with prayer. All dignitaries were
welcomed in Kerala’s traditional style with ‘Thala Poli’
‘Panch Vadya’ and ‘Muthu Kuda’. The former
Maharaja of Travancor His Highness Uthsadam Thilunal Marthanda
Varma inaugurated the meeting with lighting the lamp. Sri
Dineshan Namboothis, the Tanthri of famous Guruvayoor temple
blessed the audiance. Justice Rama Jois, National Patron and
Past President was the main speaker. He spoke an Equality &
Religion. His speech was widely accepted by 3000 odd people
present there.
National Convener (Videsh Vibhag) Shri Harihara Kumar gave a
speech on Bhartiya Sanskar and the relationship India had
with Arab Countries for centuries. Sri Srinivasan, the first
Secretary, Indian Embassy, Abu Dhabi; Dr. Vasu Professor (Retd.)
from Calicut Medical College; and a famous Malayalam play back
singer also spoke on the occasion. A
Shaikh
from Labor Ministry of United Arab Emirat was present at the
dias offering full co-operation and help to the India
fraternity. Dr. B.R. Shetty, a well known Entrepreneur and
Industrialist, in Abu Dhabi and 28 other countries was honored
on his conferment of PADMA SHREE Award. Both Print and Visual
Media gave good coverage to the event.
As a
measure of dedication to the Mother Land members of Abu Dhabi
unit offered to donate a dialysis machine for the poor patients
in Kerala. They propose to install the machine at one of the
hospitals in Kannur District. The estimated cost of the unit is
about 20 lakh rupees.
At
present the Branch has got a total membership of 33, which is
likely to increase very soon. All of them have paid their
Central Share of $10 each. Sri Parasanath is the President,
while Sri Radha Krishnan and Ajith Kumar are Secretary and
Treasurer respectively. A music night was also arranged. Well
known play back singers, in Malayalam Sri Venugopal and Kum.
Gayatri participated in the programme.
An
inhouse meeting was conducted on 7th Feb at the residence of the
President Sri Parasanath. Justice Rama Jois and Sri Harihara
Kumar participated the meeting and gave proper directions to the
members. Sri Harihara Kumar read out the oath for the members
present and all of them repeated the same. The First Team of
Office Bearers was installed by Justice Rama Jois. Our effort to
open another Branch in Dubai is in the offing.
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