On Sunday, July 26, 2026, the Grand Excelsior Hotel Banquet Hall in Bur Dubai, UAE, was abuzz with activity as the 55th International Cultural Fest & Cultural Exchange Programme drew to a close. Organised by the International Cultural Fest Council of India in association with Sandhya Creations Event Network Team, this prestigious event brought together prominent figures from the Karnataka community, distinguished awardees, and renowned artistes from India and the UAE. Er. K. P. Manjunath Sagar, Chairman of the World Kannada Cultural Convention Committee 2004, welcomed the gathering and stressed the importance of preserving Indian cultural heritage globally. The programme was inaugurated with the traditional lighting of the ceremonial lamp by dignitaries, including Shri Shri Maheshwara Swamiji of Nandipura and Sarvothama Shetty, President of Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha. The evening’s highlight was the presentation of the Golden Iconic Awards, which recognised outstanding contributions in fields such as medicine, literature, and social service. Awardees included Dr. P. V. Pattar, Dr. Satish Kumar Hosamani, and Smt. Vijayalakshmi Vasudeva, among others. The presence of celebrated Emirati actor Mr. Abdullah Al Jafali added international significance to the programme. The event was a memorable celebration of Indian culture, literature, music, theatre, and social harmony, and was attended by numerous community leaders and performers from the UAE and India.
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📰 Source: Mangalorean Gulf