Udupi: Founder of Sai Radha Group, Sundar Shetty, No More

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Jul 9: Sundar Shetty (81), founder of Sai Radha Group of Concerns, which has made a lasting imprint in the city and elsewhere, breathed his last at his residence at Uliyargoly, Kaup, on Friday July 8. He is survived by four sons including Ravi Shetty, a hotellier settled in Mumbai,  and two daughters.

Sundar Shetty, who initially was operating hotels in Mumbai, later founded Sai Radha Group of Concerns in the city and Mumbai. Shetty, who was born at Angaramajali Balike House in Moodbidri, was a successful farmer too. He was a liberal philanthropist, and used to take part in social, educational, and religious functions and guide the young in spite of his advanced age. He was a major donor for the scheme of free book distribution and scholarships to poor students through Buntara Sangha Kaup, and had played a major role as a donor and inspiration behind the renovation of Kaup Lakshminardhan Temple. Being the president of Ayyappa Seva Samiti Kaup, he had been helping the community feasts being organized by the Samiti. He also was involved in a major way with Tulu Koota Kaup.

MLA, Lalaji Mendon, former ministers, Vasant Salian and Jayaprakash Hegde, in addition to various dignitaries, participated in the funeral of Shetty and paid their tributes to this great soul. Minister, Dr V S Acharya, MP, D V Sadanand Gowda, MLA, K Raghupati Bhat, former MP, Vinay Kumar Sorake, and a number of other leaders have mourned his death.