Tulu Paterga Tulu Oripaga’s 7th anniversary ‘Gauji Gammat’ in Dubai

Dubai, Nov 30: In a heartwarming celebration of dedication and leadership, UAE Bunts honoured Sarvotham Shetty and his wife, Usha Shetty, for their extraordinary 47 years of service at the 47th Gulf Buntotsava-2024. The couple’s contributions were lauded in a grand felicitation ceremony that showcased the community’s admiration and gratitude.

The event unfolded with vibrant cultural traditions and an air of celebration, symbolizing the legacy the Shetty duo has built over decades. Sarvotham Shetty, visibly moved, shared his reflections on the honour, stating, “The greatest gift God has given me is the strength to organize. This strength, supported by your blessings, has enabled me to serve as the leader of UAE Bunts for the past 44 years. This honour, bestowed without my knowledge, brings immense joy. I dedicate my years of organizational strength to my wife, who has been my unwavering support."

The highlight of the ceremony was a regal procession escorting Sarvotham and Usha Shetty to the stage, where they were adorned with a traditional turban, shawl, memento, and symbolic gifts, including betel leaves, bananas, rice, vegetables, and jasmine garlands. Accompanied by rhythmic drumbeats and vibrant fanfare, the procession reflected the cultural essence of the Bunt community.

UAE Bunts vice president Praveen Kumar Shetty Vakwadi and secretary Raviraj Shetty, along with other office-bearers and committee members, presented an array of honours to the couple. Shashi Raviraj Shetty eloquently delivered the felicitation letter, while the event was skilfully compered by Nitesh Shetty Ekkar and Priya Harish of Kudla Channel News.

The Gulf Buntotsava-2024 was not just a celebration of Sarvotham and Usha Shetty’s enduring contributions but also a vivid reminder of the vibrant heritage and unity of the UAE Bunt community.

Mangaluru: A five-year-long pursuit of justice continues for several youths from Dakshina Kannada who fell victim to a fraudulent food delivery job scam in Kuwait. The victims, lured by promises of lucrative overseas employment, now find themselves entangled in legal battles and financial ruin.

In a recent development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) summoned the victims to its Mangaluru office as part of the ongoing investigation. The case, which dates back to May 28, 2019, was initially registered at the Mangaluru North police station based on a complaint filed by Usman, a resident of Jalligudde. His brother, Aboobakkar Siddique, was among the 34 victims duped by Manikya Associates, a recruitment agency operated by Prasad Shetty.

According to the complaint, the victims were promised jobs as food delivery executives in Kuwait with a salary of ₹40,000 per month. “I paid ₹80,000 to the agent and ended up spending seven harrowing months in Kuwait without any salary,” shared a victim who now works in construction. Another victim, now employed as a driver, said, “I dreamt of working abroad to support my family. I even pledged jewelry to pay the fees, but it took me years to recover financially.”

The victims allege that they were left stranded in Kuwait in January 2019 after completing all formalities. With no jobs and mounting expenses, their ordeal lasted seven months. They were eventually repatriated with the help of Indian expats and the Embassy of India in Kuwait, just two months after the complaint was filed.

The ED investigation is reportedly progressing, and victims said they were assured that their payments to the agent would be refunded soon. An ED official confirmed that efforts to ensure justice are ongoing.

For these youths, the pain of shattered dreams and financial losses has lingered for years, with many still struggling to rebuild their lives. As they await justice, their plight serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of fraudulent recruitment schemes.

Udupi: Six junior artists from the prequel of Kannada blockbuster film ‘Kantara’ were injured, when the bus they were travelling in overturned in the district, police said on Monday.

According to police, the accident occurred near Jadkal on Sunday night when the mini-bus carrying the crew of the film overturned.

“The incident happened while they were returning to Kollur after completing the shoot at Mudoor in Jadkal. The mini-bus was carrying 20 junior artistes when it met with the accident,” a police officer said.

The injured were rushed to hospitals in Jadkal and Kundapur for treatment, they said.

The Kollur police are investigating the matter.

"The news making rounds is completely false. The Kantara: Chapter 1 team began shooting at 06:00 AM today, and everything is proceeding as normal. A minor accident occurred 20 kilometres away from the shooting location, involving a local bus carrying some members of the Kantara team. However, no injuries were reported," a source close to the production said.