Verna, August 5, 2025 – Leaders of various Kannada organizations in Goa have unanimously elected Dr. Siddana Meti as the Chairman of the newly constituted Goa Kannada Bhavan Nirman Samiti (GKBNS). The committee has been formed to oversee pre-construction, coordination, and logistical work related to the proposed Kannada Bhavan at Verna, Mormugao.
The newly formed committee, Goa Kannada Bhavan Nirman Samiti, comprises eleven governing body members.
Recently, the Karnataka Border Area Development Authority (KBADA) performed the Bhumi Pooja (groundbreaking ceremony) for the proposed site. KBADA has sought support from various Kannada organizations in Goa to come together and assist with the pre-construction tasks and to address the challenges that may arise during the construction process.
For nearly three decades, Kannadigas in Goa have been consistently appealing to the Goa government to establish a Kannada Bhavan.
The Kannada Bhavan is envisioned as a symbol for all Kannadigas in Goa – a cultural and linguistic memorial representing:
- Kannada language and schools,
- Kannada literature and art,
- Kannada cultural heritage and music,
- Jnanpith awardees,
- And prominent figures from the Kannada film industry.
The elected members of the Goa Kannada Bhavan Nirman Samiti are:
- Chairman – Dr. Siddana Meti
- Deputy Chairmen – Murli Mohan Shetty and Hamunathappa Reddy
- General Secretary – Taurappa Jadhav
- Joint Secretary – Shivanand Bingi
- Treasurer – Suresh Rajput
- Joint Treasurer – Rajesh Shetty
- Cultural Secretary – Basavaraj Gowdar
- Advisor – Padayya Hiremath
- Program Conveners – Shambhu Shettar and Anand Angadi
