The Core Objective of Leading Society Forward with Unity is Emotional Integration: Praveen Kumar Shetty Vakkvadi
Dubai: In the auditorium of the Millennium Plaza Hotel located on Sheikh Zayed Road in the city, more than 1,500 Bunts residing in the UAE gathered, and the 48th annual Kudukatt Bhavaikya Bunts Gathering of UAE Bants was celebrated grandly.
The hard work over the past four months by the new President of UAE Bants, Praveen Kumar Shetty Vakkvadi, members of the Advisory Committee, and all members of the 2025 Organizational Committee was the reason for uniting such a large number of Bunts and for the success of the program.
At 10 AM, the 48th annual Kudukatt Bhavaikya program was inaugurated by lighting the lamp by the patrons of the association, Sarvottam Shetty, President Praveen Kumar Shetty Vakkvadi, Vice Presidents Prem Nath Shetty, General Secretary Raviraj Shetty, and the women members of the Organizational Committee.
Members of the Advisory Committee, Ratnakar Shetty, Sundar Shetty, Dinesh Shetty Kottinja, Sajan Shetty, Sujath Shetty were present. Afterwards, cultural programs began with Bunt songs by Sangeeta Shetty’s team and a Yakshagana dance of Ganapati Stuti by artists from Yakshagana Practice Center UAE.
As part of the cultural programs, diverse competitive events presented by UAE Bunt relatives—such as the glory of Tulu Nadu soil, the journey of India’s culture, Bunterena Aisiri (Bunts’ Splendor), and short film competition—emerged in unique ways, one better than the other. As a result, the auditorium was overflowing from the beginning until 9 PM.
Bant Vibhushan, Mannina Maga, Tulu Nadu Marmaye Awards Presentation
The prestigious Bant Vibhushan award, given every year, was conferred upon Dakshina Kannada district MP Captain Brijesh Chowta to honor him. Speaking after receiving the award, Chowta said, “I am not worthy of such a big award, yet I accept this award with love.” He expressed that his dream is to make Dakshina Kannada district a model district and ensure that youth there get jobs locally. For that, he requested cooperation from all Dakshina Kannada people present here. Additionally, he spoke appreciatively about Praveen Kumar Shetty Vakkvadi and wished the program well.
Actor Divine Star Rishab Shetty and his spouse were honored with the Mannina Maga award, and actor Vivek Oberoi was honored with the Tulu Nadu Marmaye award.
Speaking after receiving the award, actor Rishab Shetty said that after the release of Kantara Chapter 1 movie, he had not participated in any program. However, since Praveen Anna (Praveen Kumar Shetty Vakkvadi) is his friend, he participated in this program.
Later, speaking, actor Vivek Oberoi said that participating in such a program is a matter of pride for us. Under the leadership of Praveen Kumar Shetty, may the programs of UAE Bants continue in the future as well. He spoke words of appreciation and wished the program success.
All the sponsors who contributed to the success of the program were honored on stage. On the stage, the grand patrons of UAE Bants, B.R. Shetty, Sarvottam Shetty, President Praveen Kumar Shetty Vakkvadi, Vice President Prem Nath Shetty, General Secretary Raviraj Shetty were present. President Praveen Kumar Shetty Vakkvadi delivered introductory remarks and welcomed everyone.
The members of the 2025 Organizational Committee who worked behind the success of the program—Din Raj Shetty and Deepti Din Raj Shetty, Anup Shetty and Chaitra Anup Shetty, Supraj Shetty and Prithvi Supraj Shetty, Vasant Shetty and Rajita Vasant Shetty, Sitaram Shetty and Ashwini Sitaram Shetty, Gokuldas Rai and Nishmita Gokuldas Rai, Keerthi Nitya Prakash Shetty, Megha Prasanna Shetty, Vidyashree Satish Hegde, Deepa Kiran Shetty, Lasya Sampath Shetty, and others—cooperated.
Finally, President Praveen Kumar Shetty Vakkvadi expressed gratitude to everyone who cooperated directly and indirectly. “The fundamental objective of the Bhavaikya Bunts Grand Gathering is to lead the society forward with unity,” he said.
Winners of Cultural Competition Programs:
Bunterena Aisiri
- First: Atharva Vasant Shetty (Nagaradhane)
- Second: Tashwi Santosh Shetty (Kalungura)
- Third: Mahika Shetty (Mudipu Kattunu)
Tulu Nadu Mannina Mahime (Glory of Tulu Nadu Soil)
- First: Mundkur Kshetra Team
- Second: Kateel Kshetra Team
- Third: Mandarthi Kshetra Team
Namma Sanskritiya Payana (Journey of Our Culture)
- First: Karnataka Team
- Second: Rajasthan Team
- Third: Maharashtra Team
Short Film Competition
- First: Suicide Day (Suicide Aachithi)
- Second: Last Dose (Isina Dose)
- Third: Wrong Move (Wrong Move / Tappu Hejje)
These images show key personalities associated with the Bunt community events, including Rishab Shetty (known for his participation in cultural celebrations in Dubai) and Captain Brijesh Chowta (MP from Dakshina Kannada, often involved in community activities).