Mangaluru : The contribution of Bunts to the field of education was immense through Bunts Hostels from 19th century. They gained wisdom, but never left culture. Compared to their population, their achievement is great, said Amrit Paul, Inspector General of Police (Western).

Speaking after inauguration of ‘Bhandhavya’, a conference of Bunts, organised by Buntara yane Nadavara Mathr Sangha at Bunts Hostel on Thursday, he said that Bunts believed that educating oneself was the biggest success and losing culture the biggest loss. Bunts always accepted challenges. After the first migration Mumbai, now they have around 18,000 hotels there.

Though they lost land Land Reforms Act, they took it as challenge. However, all Bunts are still not rich. The community should work for the downtrodden, he said.

Earlier, Amrit Paul launched the questionnaire of ‘Vishwa Buntara Mahiti Kosha’ project, which would collect every information of each Bunts family in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Kasargod and outside. On the occasion, as a mark of unity of Bunts, the taluk convenors of Bunts Association handed over paddy sticks to the Sangha President Maladi Ajit Kumar Rai and it was bundled at the end and kept in ‘Kalase’ (a carrier used to carry paddy). It was worshipped by elderly women as a part of culture.

Maladi Ajit Kumar Rai said that ‘Vishwa Buntara Mahiti Kosha’, a project which would collect information on social, financial, educational, professional and information about blood group, organ donation and other things would help to live together and help needy in future. It would decrease the gap between families and the work would get completed within three years with the help of all, he said.

As many as 34 achievers on various fields like literature, teaching, social service, hotel business, research, industrialists, agriculture, horticulture, special achievement etc. Students were given with ‘Prathibha Puraskara’. Financial aid was given to more than 20 physically handicapped people.

A J Shetty of A J Institute, Karnikere Vishwanatha Shetty, president, Mumbai Bunt Sangha, Dr M Mohan Alva, Alva’s Education Institute, Dr Naresh Shetty, Bangalore Bunts Association, and Sham N Shetty, president, Mumbai Bunts Association, were present on this occasion.

Kavu Hemanath Shetty welcomed the gathering.