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In the year
1997 few enthusiastic young Billawas joined hands
together and floated the idea of a Billawa gathering
in Dubai. They were encouraged by many effluent
Billawas living in Dubai , Sharjah , Ajman and also
the existence of Billawa Balaga in Abu Dhabi. The
first ever gathering of Billawas of Dubai took place
at Al Mumzar park in Dubai. A picnic was arranged
and this was the beginning of "Billawa Balaga"
Dubai.
The Progress...
The next 6 years were filled
with functions such as Shri Narayan Guru Pooja,
Cricket Tournament, Picnic . Among all the "Annual
Get-together" was the star attraction. Billawa
Business community sponsored the events wholeheartedly
to collect money for some good cause.
In the year 2002, some
prominent members of our community felt that "Billawa
Balaga" should have more transparency and should
have a proper committee to run the affairs of the
group in order to grow and serve our community better.
As expected, there was lot of opposition to this
suggestion from the group of people who felt that
they would loose their control over "Billawa
Balaga".
Stagnant
Era....
Due to this attitude of
these people, there was no gathering of Billawas
in Dubai for 3 years. "Billawa Balaga"
was almost in the verge of collapse when some fellow
members of the Balaga persuaded the conveners for
setting up a proper committee. Finally the duo succumbed
to pressure & agreed for the committee formation.
Billawas Dubai (a new era begins)...
A committee was formed
in April 2005 and "Billawa Balaga" was
renamed as "Billawas Dubai". Mr. Umesh
Kuckian's name was proposed by the conveners and
was elected unopposed as the 1st President of Billawas
Dubai. Mr. Prabhakar Suvarna as Vice-President,
Mr. Satish Poojary as General Secretary, Mr. Suresh
Amin as Joint-Secretary, Mr. Vittal Poojary as Treasurer
along with many others as committee members.
The existing committee was formed for a period of
two years. The new committee restarted the activities
of the "Billawas Dubai" with great enthusiasm
and with the support of the Billawa business community
held a grand Billawas Annual gathering. The performance
of the present executive committee was more than
expected.
Is progress a curse
for Billawas ?…
The success of the new
Committee was very hard to digest for the people
who were opposing the very formation of the Committee.
These people started keeping away from all the activities
of "Billawas Dubai" and thus lost all
respect they were getting from the other members.
This was enough for these people to try and break
the unity of the committee by first attacking the
General Secretary and then President of the "Billawas
Dubai" and hindering the smooth functioning
of "Billawas Dubai".
The events that followed thereafter brought all
the members of the present committee closer. They
were united in voicing their displeasure against
the people who were trying their level best to shake
the foundation and dismantle the committee before
its tenure of two years ending March 2007.
The effort put by the President and all the members
to keep all Billawas under one umbrella failed.
This angered all the like-minded Billawas of Dubai
for whom the "Dignity & Integrity"
of our community was most important than any gimmicks.
"Billawa Balaga Abu Dhabi" (Our Big Brother)
openly supported our efforts and encouraged us to
move forward.
United as ever....
"Billawas Dubai"
is now known as "Billawas Dubai & NE"
in order to cover all Billawas living in Dubai and
the Northern Emirates. "Billawas Dubai &
NE" shall forge a head with it's enhanced spirit
to attain it's set objectives of helping the needy
Billawa children in India by providing them education
no matter how many hurdles the opposition put on
it's path.
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