Committee Members

Mr. Sadananda Nayak
Chairperson

I have been a member of the SABHA for the past 23 years and held various positions as Committee member, Treasurer, Chaiman and Trustee and now Chairman on second occasion.
We stay at Kenton, Harrow and I work as a Chief Financial Officer in a project company at present after completing 48 years of Banking career.

 
Mr. Sunil Prabhu
Vice Chairperson


Been in UK since 1997. I am a Mangalorean but grew up in Mumbai, live in Ilford (East London) with my wife, Latha. I have 2 sons who are not living with us – Amol, 24, is an MSc in Evolutionary Biology and has joined the Civil Service – Anush, 21, is studying Dentistry in Bristol. I am a Sales Manager with Talion CyberSecurity.

Been with GSS since 1999. I have been an EC member and Sabha Trustee in the past GSS has helped us become part of an extended family snd been an important part of settling in- we have met relatives who we weren’t aware of when we were in India – we love the periodic get-togethers and outings and are always looking forward to it.

As a true Konkani, my comfort food is Rice, steaming Daalitoy topped with Toop along with kotla nonche but won’t be offended if daalitoy is replaced with devasthana rasam.
 

Mrs Arati Nayak
Secretary


Hi All, I am Aarti Nayak and a committee member since 2017.I have been a GSS member for long and what binds me to the Sabha is the versatility and the diversity of our community.
I am a foodie like most amchis ( although the trend today is slimming) and pardi sessions are a must when you catch up with friends.So it has been a fun place on with some serious goals of developing and growing our network within our community so that together we can achieve and make a difference in each other lives.
Mr Abhay Prabhu
Joint Secretary


I am an avid technologist and an ardent aspiring chef. I have been brought up in so many cities back in India, it is difficult to spot a point on the map to say where I am from. So, I prefer to say my roots are in Basrur, where my father was born and brought up. Here in the UK, I live in Stanmore with my wife Amita and my four-year-old son Aavish.

My nirvana is in cooking and seeing people savor the food I cook. Be my guest if you crave an authentic Hyderabadi Biryani or Amchi kadgi chakko or anything else in between.

Sabha for me is my extended family that is full of radiating splendor, love and joy. I am elated to be a part of this enthusiastic and efficient committee that is devoted to serve the colossal GSS UK family.
Mr. Sudeep Shenoy
Treasurer


I was Born in Mangalore but brought up in Goa during early life then i moved back to Mangalore during my year 6. I did my Engineering Degree from NMAMIT Nitte and I moved to the UK in October 2008. I joined the GSS Sabha in 2010.
I am currently living in Hounslow with my wife Aparna and Son Darsh, I work in IT sector in Chiswick.
My Favourite amchi cuisine would be Jackfruit payasu, Valval and Bibbe Upkari.
Ever had a selfie with a celeb?: Yes, with Cyrus Brocha
Favorite Pastime?: Travelling
One Thing you carry in your suitcase while travelling from India? : Banana Halwa
Mrs Dhanashree Nayak
Joint Treasurer
Mrs Latha Prabhu
Membership Secretary
Mr Satish Kamath
Joint Membership Secretary


I have been a GSS member for several years and this is my first year in the GSS Committee. I am orginally from Mangalore and lived in several other cities and countries since I graduated. I live in Langley (Slough) with my wife Prajna, my daughters Prithvi and Aditi.
I am an avid cricket and tennis fan. I enjoy travelling and I am a foodie too. As part of my new role as Joint Membership Secretary, I am looking forward to meeting existing and new members to help them integrate into the Sabha family which can help create UK as their home away from home for all our members.
Mr Girish Kamath
IT Webmaster


I was born and bought up in Bantwal, a small town near Mangalore and quite popular for its glorious SVS temple and the famous Bantwal teru. I did my computer engineering at NITK, Surathkal, worked in Bangalore for a few years, before moving to UK in 2008. I live in High Wycombe with my wife Sneha Kamath and our 6 year old son, Avyukt. I love programming, designing and architecting software and exploring emerging technologies. I like to travel, meet new people, try new cuisines and broaden my experience of the world. Although not a very good cook, I find it cooking quite relaxing and love the heap of praises Sneha showers on me whenever I cook something good or bad!. My new found passion is running and I have been trying to do regular runs in the mornings, hoping to take part in a half marathon sometime this year.

I joined GSS in 2019, at the Bank Holiday weekend event in August and was super happy to meet many of the community members in person. As a community, we have a lot of learn and share with each other and I am really excited to be part of the committee and contribute in whatever way I can to keep our flag flying high.
 
Mr Navneet Baliga
Joint IT Webmaster

Ms Vaaruni Nayak
Vani Editor


Hello everyone! Born in Mumbai, I’ve lived in London for the last decade and a half. Currently editor of Vani, with a love for Bharatnatyam, reading (crime thrillers anyone?) and badminton. If netflixing was a profession, would have the highest qualifications – making do with medical school at the moment. Personal synonym for comfort is Dalithoy on a rainy day.
Mrs Vinaya Shenoy
Vani Co-Editor


My name is Vinaya Shenoy. Born bred in Namma Bengaluru. Moved to UK in 2004 September. My Husband Suraj Shenoy is also from Bengaluru.
I did my engineering in MIT, Manipal. I have two beautiful daughters age 15 and 12 . I am currently working as an accounts assistant.
I joined GSS couple of years ago and was immediately welcomed with open arms by all the members and made us feel at home. I am a foodie and I love all Amchi food. Can’t choose anyone it would be like betraying others. I am a major movie buff.
Up until few years ago I watched every Hindi movie released. But now my threshold to bad movies has gone so low that I hardly watch any Hindi movies until have heard it is really good.
My recent hobby has become learning Korean. You can say I have been swept in the K- Wave. I am really excited to be a part of the GSS committee and can’t wait to make beautiful memories with our Sabha members
 
Ms Avantika Sutkantkar
Vani Design Head


Greetings, everyone! I am Avantika Sukhatankar, and my Brit comrades also lovingly refer to me as Ava. Completed my MSc in Strategic Marketing, I currently work as Fraud Analyst. Amidst my new found delight of fried eggs and beans, it is prawns rava fry that still ignites the rhythm of my heart. Ah, the magic of movies! They transport me to fantastical realms. My creative bug brings solace, leading me to take up photography and design as an important part of my life. Joining the enthusiastic Vani team is a tremendous privilege, which I am sure will provide me with the platform to showcase my artistic side.
Mrs Shreeshma Kamath
Youth Coordinator


Namaste! As the Youth Coordinator for GSS UK, I’m thrilled to roll out the red carpet for all you fantastic young guns in our esteemed community. Armed with an MSc. in Strategic Marketing and over 7 years of advertising wizardry, I bring a heaping dose of creativity, innovation, and strategic mojo to our youth initiatives. My motivation? It’s simple—I’m on a mission to turbocharge your potential and catapult you to greatness. Together, let’s whip up a whirlwind of cultural promotion, mind-blowing events, and community connections that’ll make even the coolest cats jealous. Buckle up, because we’re about to rock the socks off GSB UK! Join me in this wild ride as we explore uncharted horizons, seize mind-boggling opportunities, and paint a neon-bright future for our incredible community!

Mr Bola Sandeep Kamath
Youth Cordinator


I was born in Mangalore and was raised in Muscat, Oman. I moved back to India to do my PUC and then Engineering from NIE, Mysore after which i recently moved to the UK to pursue my Masters. Excited to plan new activities for all the Amchi Paddo and Paddis. It would be a pleasure to meet all our members in future meetups and have a wonderful time.
Mr Girish Kamath
Member


I am an enthusiastic photographer and equally passionate Agile evangelist.
I was born in Mangalore but grew up in Mumbai but now coming to the point where I have spent more than half of my adult life in UK.
My first love is my family (my wife will contest this.) My wife, Sapna too is from Karkala but grew up in Mumbai. We have been married for 18 years now and have been blessed by two wonderful children (Riya aged 13 and Darsh aged 9).
If you love photography and want to encourage me on my photography journey, please follow me on Instagram (girishkamathphotography)
Mrs Dharma Shenoy
Member


Growing up on the sunny shores of Mangalore, I enjoyed everything this beautiful coastal town has to offer. From dalitoy to Teru, from patoli to sharada mahotsav, I am very amchi at heart. I was fortunate to be surrounded by the wealth of amchi culture, language, rituals and revival of our literature.
Across the oceans and over the seas, our sabha has given us an extended family away from home. My kids have acquired ajjas, mamamas, maamus, pachis and a tribe of ‘cousins’ to grow up together. There are plenty of occasions for gauji, ghalato, gammat and gatti javan. The love and warmth from everyone is addictive and I always look forward to our next meeting.
Mrs Gauri Shanbag
Member


I am Gauri Shanbhag from Honavar, Karnataka, born and brought up in Mumbai. I am a parent of two wonderful daughters and I am an advaita vedantin.
My newly acquired profession(10 yrs) is in asset management specialing in Client relationship services in Fund management.
For me GSSabha is a representation of family and friendship and I have thoroughly enjoyed my past experiences as an EC member, Vani editor and Trustee.
I am a part of this community since 16 years and am humbled to be given an opportunity to serve as a Treasurer and look forward to make wonderful memories with the new committee