Moodbidri: Ex-serviceman devotes himself to propagation of nature
R B Jagadish
Daijiworld Media Network - Moodbidri (NM)
Moodbidri, Jul 21: Having served the country for years, an ex-serviceman now treads the field of horticulture, back in his hometown. Jaya Shetty, 71-year-old retired military man, is a fitting example of hard work and inspiration to many.
A resident of Bannadka village, Alangar, Moodbidri, after completing primary education in Moodbidri Jain High School, Shetty had to discontinue his studies due to poverty. From his first job in a canteen in Mumbai, Shetty worked his way up and joined the Indian Navy as a sailor in 1964. He was a leading seaman by the time he applied for voluntary retirement.
Life in Navy
Jaya Shetty was part of Navy during the India-Pakistan war in 1965 and in 1971 which was for the liberation of Bangladesh from Pakistan. He has also mastered English and Russian languages during his tenure in the Navy. Besides, he has also visited Singapore, Malaysia, France, England, Russia, and some countries in Africa.
Post-retirement life amidst nature
Soon after retirement, Shetty devoted his life to plantation and horticulture. In his dedicated life amidst nature, he has used nearly four acres of barren land at Chillimbi, Belvai, to plant several cashew trees. Besides, he also planted coconut trees, banana plants, and mango trees on another four acres of land intending to lead the rest of his life amidst nature.
Having learnt that the region of Chilimbi, Belvai, always faced a shortage of water, Shetty has come up with a solution for irrigation. In an attempt to properly make use of rain water, he built a vented dam on his land, nearly eight years ago. Apart from the use of one truck-load of granite (black) stones and about 25 sacks of cement, he himself worked on its construction. The vented dam helped store additional water constructively stopping the wastage of rain water.
Presently, the former navy man has engaged himself in developing the neglected pond at Chillimbi, the border of Udupi-Mangalore district. Besides extending the pond, he has constructed footsteps, removed slush and hyacinth voluntarily.
Shetty propagates a plastic-free society. When people throw wastes and plastic all around, he cleans up the place. In addition, he also picks up such waste right in front of the offenders in an attempt to create awareness.
Shetty is also a part of literacy drives and other social activities. A rationalist, he has been creating awareness against superstition and other existing social evils in the region.