On Sunday, November 8, Mangaluru hosted the 12th edition of Bhavikyateya Deepavali, a festival of harmony, at the Sri Gorakshanath Jnana Mandira auditorium near Kadri Park. The event was organised under the guidance of MLC Ivan D'Souza, who has long championed inter‑religious celebrations.
Opening remarks were delivered by Ishavithala Swamiji of Kemaru Math, who highlighted the role of parents and gurus in shaping a prosperous life and stressed that religion extends beyond rituals to foster communal harmony. He praised Ivan D'Souza for his dedication to organising festivals that represent all faiths, calling him an icon of the city.
Fr. Richard Aloysius Coelho, priest of Paladane Church, expressed delight at joining the festival of lights, urging everyone to live with love and coexist peacefully. Social worker and Rajyotsava awardee H. Hasanabba Charmadi recalled Ivan D'Souza's long history of social welfare activities, from school days onward, and encouraged people to serve others for collective rewards.
The ceremony honoured cultural contributors, including Yakshagana exponent Arshiya Khan, Bharatanatyam dancer Remona Evette Pereira, and music director‑singer Gururaj M.B. Former MLA J.R. Lobo, former Mayor Shashidhar Hegde, and several local dignitaries such as Pratibha Salyan, Pragati Bekal, N.P. Manuraj, Manish Bolar, Amrit Kadri, James Praveen, Ashraf Bengre and Herbert D'Souza Kadekar were in attendance.
Various competitions enlivened the day. MCC Commissioner Rahul Rathnam Pandey inaugurated a drawing contest, while Karnataka Cashew Development Corporation Chairperson Mamatha D.S. Gatti opened the open Bharatanatyam competition. Santhosh Kumar Shetty, Chairman of the Mangaluru Urban Development Authority, launched the Goodudeepa lantern competition. Program convener G. Nagendra Kumar delivered the vote of thanks, and Chethan Shetty served as the evening’s compere.
Image for illustration purposes only
📰 Source: Vartha Bharati DK