The Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam (BKS) will welcome a prominent Indian spiritual leader at a grand reception at its premises in Segaiya tonight.
The grand civic reception will be held for the recipient of India’s Padma Shri award and Sivagiri Madam president Swami Vishudhananda.
The event also celebrates the Declaration of the 87th Sivagiri Pilgrimage.
Established in the year 1947 by a group of visionaries, BKS is today one of the oldest and largest leading socio-cultural organisations in the kingdom.
The organisation proudly represents the Malayalee community which numbers more than 300,000 living in Bahrain and ever since its inception has been at the forefront of socio-cultural and philanthropical activities in the kingdom.
BKS is well-known for its active role as a cultural bastion and its charitable activities benefiting tens of thousands of people every year.
Located near Salmaniya Medical Complex, BKS has approximately 65,000 square feet of land with more than 200 car parking lots and a built-up area of approximately 27,000 square feet.
The main auditorium which can accommodate more than 2,000 people is designed to meet modern standards for theatre, dance, music, lectures and film presentations.
The auditorium is used for regular stage programmes, indoor games, seminars, lectures and various community events.
An average of 10 to 12 public events and mega shows are held every month at the club premises, which attracts a footfall of more than 10,000 members and non-members regularly.
The central location, parking facilities and amenities available make it a regular choice for not just the Malayalee community but also the first choice among the Indian and Bahraini community.
In addition to these events, more than 350 athletes play badminton every day and the indoor auditorium has hosted many international tournaments.
BKS conducts various educational, self-developmental and artistic programmes and clubs such as gavel, quiz, Toastmasters, photography and science forum which are very active.
As the torch-bearer of Kerala culture, the BKS proudly conducts well-structured Malayalam classes for over 1,000 children who are then evaluated according to the Kerala government criteria.
“The Indian community in Bahrain is planning to host a grand civic reception to His Holiness Swami Vishudhananda, the president of Sivagiri Madam and the recipient of the fourth highest civilian award Padma Shri from the President of India, on November 21, 2019 at 7.30pm,” said BKS president P V Radhakrishna Pillai and general secretary M P Raghu.
Swami Vishudhananda is the new president of Varkkala Sivagiri Madam which was consecrated by acclaimed savant and Kerala social reformer Narayana Guru.
A number of prominent Indian politicians will be visiting Bahrain for the event, including chief guest and legislative assembly member from Kottayam Thiruvanjoor Radhakrishnan, and guests of honour former Mizoram governor Kummanam Rajasekharan and former member of parliament A Sampath.
Sivagiri Madam general secretary Brahmasri Saadranandha Swamikal, Adwaithasramam secretary Brahmashri Shivaswaroopanandha Swamikal, Sivagiri Pilgrimage Committee secretary Brahmasri Vishaalandha Swamikal and committee co-ordinator Santhosh Vandannoor will also be attending.
A dance performance by Malayalam film star and dancer Manju Warrier will also be held the same evening.
A committee under the leadership of Qatar Engineering Group chief managing director KG Baburajan, will ensure the reception runs smoothly.
The event begins at 7.30pm.
For more information, call 33988196 or 39283875.
&uuid=(email))