TRADE FEATURE

The Bangalore Trades Association celebrates 67th Kannada Rajyotsava Day with fanfare

By Smiti Jain Narayan

Founded in 1899, The Bangalore Trades Association was the first such organisation formed exclusively for traders. Situated at Manipal Centre, it is one of the oldest associations in India at 123 years in existence. Leading luminaries of the business community in Bangalore have come together to keep its banner flying high. Recently they celebrated the 67th Kannada Rajyotsava Day. MLA Nalapad Ahmed Haris (popularly known as NA Haris) extended his full co-operation and support to make the event a success. NA Haris is an Indian businessman, politician of National Congress and a member of Karnataka Legislative Assembly from Shanthinagar Constituency. He graciously joined along with all association members to celebrate Kannada Rajyotsava with The Bangalore Trades Association. On the occasion he gave a speech extolling the significance of 67th Kannada Rajyotsava and also promised BTA to stand with them for all future programmes.

Key activities undertaken by BTA during the course of the year:

• Vaccination program was conducted for the Employers / Employees and their families and friends of the establishments of MG Road, Brigade Road, Church Street etc. and also for the general public, with about 350 vaccinations that were administered free of cost by the BBMP health department. • Retail Employees Day was celebrated on 12.12.2021. Employees who have put in 25 or more years of service were specially rewarded with a gift by BTA and Employee Of The Year, were presented with a Certificate of Appreciation. • The Labour Department prescribed Minimum Wages Act and Dearness Allowance enhancement notice for the year 2022-23 was e-mailed to all member establishments for their reference. • BTA is in the process of meeting BBMP Engineer for the beautification of MG road by placing benches, flower pots, etc. • BTA is also in the process of conducting free medical check-up camp for the employers, employees and their families. • Illegal parking of autos in front of Malabar Gold and Raj Diamond showroom was addressed by giving a written complaint to the concerned authorities. • A letter was successfully given to allow the autos to ply from Anil Kumble Circle towards MG Road, Brigade Road junction, on which hitherto autos were not allowed during the construction of Metro. • The public are not allowed to use the boulevard next to MG Road Metro station after 7pm, again in the interest of the public BTA conveyed through a letter to the concerned authorities and are awaiting for a favourable response from them.

• A letter was written to BMRCL authorities to restart the pay & use toilet, which was closed during Covid, in the interest of the public. Since then it has been reopened. • BTA is also in the process of arranging free vaccination (booster / precautionary doses) program for those who have not availed of it so far. • Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav: Flag hoisting ceremony was conducted in MG Road, and sweets were distributed to participants.

The BTA committee consists of stalwarts of Bangalore’s trade industry.

Office Bearers:

President – Sri. Vijayashekar Ravi Deepam of Deepam Silks Pvt. Ltd. Vice President – Sri. Naveen Pishe of PNRao Hon. Secretary – Sri. Sreesh R Babu of Prakruthi Ads Hon. Treasurer – Sri. Deepak Welling of GG Wellings

Executive Committee Members:

Sri. Suresh Desai of Twinkle Sri. Omar Ahmed of Manyavar Sri. Inayath Shah of Central Cottage Industries Corporation Sri. Govardhan of Vijayalakshmi Silks The more traders and businessmen who become members of this prestigious association, the more it will strengthen the voice of The Bangalore Trades Association. Members who join this association get access to vast opportunities to improve their respective businesses, as well as to air their grievances with the civic authorities in and around MG Road areas, as and when the need arises.