Rons Bantwal

Mangaluru, Nov 2: CA Srinivas Padmanabha Safalya, president of Safalya Seva Sangha Mumbai and Srinivas Welfare Foundation, was conferred the prestigious Dakshina Kannada district Rajyotsava Award 2026 in recognition of his exceptional social service.

The award was presented during the 71st Kannada Rajyotsava celebrations organised by the district administration at Nehru Maidan here on Sunday.

District in-charge minister U T Khader, along with MP Capt Brijesh Chowta and MLA D Vedavyas Kamath, felicitated Srinivas with a traditional shawl, headgear, and a citation.

Karnataka Cashew Development Corporation chairperson Mamata Gatti, Karnataka State Minimum Wages Advisory Board chairman T M Shahid, Mangalore Urban Development Authority chairman Santhosh Kumar Shetty, Ganiga Development Corporation chairman Vishwas Kumar Das, Karnataka State Konkani Sahitya Academy president Joachim Stanley Alvares, deputy commissioner Darshan H V and police commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy were present. The event also featured an attractive march-past by the police force, NCC cadets, and students from various educational institutions.

A journey of perseverance

Hailing from Rayi in Bantwal taluk, Srinivas faced numerous challenges early in life. After studying up to the fifth standard at Rayi primary school and seventh standard at Koila high school, he moved to Mumbai in search of employment. Driven by a strong desire to learn, he worked during the day and attended night school.

He completed his SSLC at Canara Vidyadayini night school and pre-university education at Kannada Bhavan junior college in Mumbai. He went on to earn a commerce degree from St Xavier's College, an MBA from the Indian School of Business (ISB) in Hyderabad, and successfully qualified as a chartered accountant.

Active in social service for over three decades, Srinivas is known for his leadership and commitment to societal upliftment. He has served in various capacities at the 86-year-old Safalya Seva Sangha in Mumbai and has been its president for the past nine years. He also played a crucial role in securing Other Backward Classes (OBC) recognition for the Safalya community in Maharashtra.

He is actively associated with organisations such as Shani Mahatma Charitable Society in Malad, Tulu Sangha Borivali, Karnataka Sangha Mumbai in Matunga, and Goregaon Karnataka Sangha. He has consistently contributed to the promotion of Kannada and Tulu language, culture, art, and folk heritage. Furthermore, his philanthropic efforts include supporting the education of underprivileged students over the last 30 years.