Mangaluru witnessed a celebration of sporting excellence on October 30, as Olympian and Arjuna Awardee M.R. Poovamma was presented with the 24th annual Rotary Vandana Award. The prestigious honour, jointly organised by the Rotary Club Mangalore Central and Rotaract Club Mangalore City, took place at the Hotel Sea View Auditorium.
Former Olympian and Arjuna Award recipient Vandana Pai presented the accolade, emphasizing Poovamma's inspiring journey. Pai highlighted how Poovamma's "years of dedication and hard work" in international athletics offered a powerful example for aspiring young sportspersons. She extended her congratulations and best wishes for Poovamma's continued success.
Upon accepting the award, Poovamma expressed her gratitude to the Rotary organizations. She attributed her significant progress in sports to the blessings of her parents, the unwavering support from her family and friends, and the consistent encouragement from sports enthusiasts. The recognition, she noted, served as a strong motivator for future achievements.
Dr. Devadas Rai, Chairman of the Award Selection Committee, explained that the Vandana Award forms a crucial part of the organization's professional service initiatives, aiming to acknowledge outstanding individuals across various fields. He lauded Poovamma's sustained contributions and accomplishments in athletics. Rakshan T.R., President of Rotaract Mangalore City, formally introduced the awardee, detailing her impressive achievements. Rotary Assistant Governor Praveen Kumar Sharma, attending as the guest of honour, released the club bulletin 'Centaur' and commended Poovamma for bringing significant recognition to the district.
The evening's proceedings commenced with a welcome address from Rotary Club President Ravindra, followed by Secretary Jackson Saldanha's presentation of the annual report. The event also saw the induction of Mahesh and Srikanth as new members of the organization. Zonal Representative Rajesh Shetty and former president Bhaskar Rai were among the dignitaries present on the dais. Derrick Steven D'Souza expertly compered the programme, while Rotaract secretary Mukesh delivered the vote of thanks. The ceremony received generous sponsorship from Shaikh Mohammad Shareef, Brian Pinto, and Murali Nair.
Image for illustration purposes only
📰 Source: Mangalore Today