New Samajam HQ set to open

OVERSEAS Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi and Kerala Water Resources Minister N K Premachandran arrived in Bahrain yesterday to attend the opening of the new Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam (BKS) headquarters. The inauguration of the club's new BD700,000 headquarters in Segaiya is today at 7.30pm and is open to all to attend. Bahrain's Social Development Minister Fatima Al Balooshi and Mr Ravi will be the chief guests. Guests of honour will be Mr Premachandran, Indian Ambassador Balkrishna Shetty, Lulu Hypermarkets owner and EMKE Group managing director M A Yusuffali, Saudi-based Nasser Al Hajri Corporation managing director Ravi Pillai, UAE Exchange and Dubai-based New Medical Centre managing director and chief executive officer B R Shetty as well as renowned Indian actress-dancer Lakshmi Gopalaswami. Other guests expected to attend are Al Fara'a Group UAE managing director J R Gangaramani, Southern Fried Chicken UAE managing director K Muraleedharan, Euro Emirates Group managing director Vijayan Thomas, Meta Schematics Bahrain managing director Michael Nevis and Delta Constructions Bahrain managing director U H Neelakanda. Representatives of various clubs and associations in Bahrain will also be present at the event. The new BKS headquarters has a multi-purpose hall, three mini-conference halls, library and reading room, rooms for children's and ladies' wing activities, sports and games facilities, administrative offices and car parking facilities. The opening ceremony will begin with an Indo-Western fusion dance conceived and directed by Bahrain-based actor and director Jaya Menon. More than 40 artists will participate in the mega stage show that is being choreographed by Jothi Raj and Ashokan Kunnamkulam. Special effects and lighting arrangements will be handled by Valson Koyilady. Celebrations will continue at 7.30pm tomorrow with a dance and musical recital by Ms Gopalaswami and playback singer Nishad. The BKS has chalked out a 60-day cultural extravaganza as part of its opening ceremony. It will begin on Thursday and will include Indian traditional folklore, contemporary dances, Indian classical dances and music. The Samajam's Manama building has been its home for the more than 20 years. It was occupied in 1986 when the club's membership strength was 300. Now the club has 1,400 registered members. Taking into account the members' families, the number of beneficiaries comes to more than 5,000. The BKS has been in the forefront of traditional, cultural and social activities during its 60 years of existence in Bahrain, said Samajam general secretary Madhu Madhavan. For more information contact Mr Madhavan on 36662215.