The 19th Annual General Body Meeting of Tulu Koota Kuwait was held on Friday, 14th December 2018 at Indian Community School, Senior Branch, Salmiya, Kuwait. The program commenced with Kuwait and Indian National Anthem followed by welcome dance by Tanvi Vijay Shetty, a budding talent of Tulu Koota Kuwait. The outgoing members of the Managing Committee led by outgoing President Wilson D’souza marked the auspicious beginning of the program by lighting the ceremonial lamp.

Mr. Suresh Salain, the Vice President, welcomed the members of the association. At the meeting, General Secretary Mr. Jagadeeshwara Shanubhogue presented the Annual Report 2018 that reflected on the accomplishments of the Koota during the year. The Audited Annual Financial Reports for the year 2018 was presented by outgoing Treasurer Mr. Manoj Stephen Rego, and was approved at the meeting.

The outgoing President Mr. Wilson Dsouza thanked the committee members, volunteers, sponsors, and patrons for the overwhelming support received during his tenure. It was a year of great momentum that strengthened community ties, and helped create culture and welfare connections with Tulu Koota Kuwait members and Tulunadu. Tulu Koota Kuwait has always recognized outstanding students across a wide spectrum of academic, cultural, sports, arts, science, creative expression. At the AGM this year, Ms. Clarine Menezes was honored with memento for her outstanding performance and winning awards in interschool competitions in various fields.

The Committee members who had surpassed all efforts in reaching out to individuals, advertisers and sponsors to support the events of Tulu Koota during the year were awarded during the AGM.

This was followed by election of 2019 Committee members for the Koota. Returning Officer Mr. Yadunath Alva efficiently conducted the entire election process and announced the members unanimously elected as office bearers of Tulu Koota Kuwait for the year 2019

The elected members of new managing committee are:

The President – Mr. Ramesh Shekar Bhandary

The Vice President – Mr. Sanath Shetty

General Secretary – Mr. Vijay Wilson Albuquerque

Joint Secretary – Ms. Shalini Vijay Shetty

Treasurer – Mr. Shankar Shetty

Internal Auditor – Mr. Govind Babu Belchada

Cultural Secretary – Mr. Abdul Razak

Sports Secretary – Mr. Roshan Qudros

PRO – Mr. Chandrahasa Shetty

Welfare Officer – Mr. Faustine Pinto

The newly elected Managing Committee members in their introduction speech thanked Tulu Koota Kuwait members for accepting their nomination in the new role. They assured the members they would conduct themselves with utmost professionalism, commitment and team work to boost Tulu Koota Kuwait public profile significantly.

The newly elected President, Mr. Ramesh Shekar Bhandary in his speech expressed his gratitude on being elected as the President for 2019. As the Tulu Koota Kuwait Stepping into 20th year of formation, he assured that along with his team he would work to bring in innovative ideas, strategic thinking and, most valuable strive to increase the credibility and visibility of Tulu Koota Kuwait in the space of welfare and charity projects, and also the existing welfare project under the banner “Glimmer of Hope” and “Project Education” would continue with the extended scope and dimension to it. He also urged the members to bring more and more Tuluvas under the umbrella of Tulu Koota Kuwait Family. He concluded his speech by rendering best wishes for Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Mr. Sudhakar Shetty Convenor of Tulu Koota in his speech thanked the outgoing President Mr. Wilson Dsouza and his team, and said their energy, dedication to the role would be difficult to match, and acknowledged that the successors have a stronger footing to follow. He wished success for the newly elected management committee members under the leadership of young and dynamic President Mr. Ramesh Shekar Bhandary for the year 2019.

The afternoon closed with showcase of cultural talents by Tulu Koota Kuwait members as below;

1. Hindi song By Aryan Ramesh Bhandary

2. Kannada Song by Sharif Kairangala

3. Dance by Hawalli Kids

4. Skit by Rajesh Cardoza & Team.

5. Hindi song by Patricia DSouza

6. Hindi Song by Sara Lobo

7. Dance by Royce and Roseline

8. Dance by Shravya & Group

9 Kannada Song By Fedwin Dsouza

The highlight of the day was the Christmas celebration and entry of Santa Claus spreading out joy and cheer and ringing in happiness and good luck for the New Year 2019 by cutting of cake by the President Mr. Ramesh Shekar Bhandary and his management committee members. The event was well coordinated by Cultural Secretary Mr. Ronald D’Souza, and wonderfully hosted by Mr. Lionel Mascarenhas.

The event came to an end with a Vote of Thanks by the General Secretary, Mr. Vijay Wilson Albuquerque. The delicious food at the program was served by Takkara Restaurant and lighting and sound support was provided by Wave Events and Rentals, the event photography was covered by Mr. Alban Dsouza.