Udupi: Will President's Tea Party be Mirage to Shambhu Shetty This Year Also?

Pic: Hemnath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (MM/SP)

Udupi, Jul 28: Shambhu Shetty, who participated in the Independence struggle of the country, is looking forward to participating in the President's tea party being hosted on the occasion of the Independence Day. Ninety-year-old freedom fighter Shetty has tried to attend this party for four times in the past. But he failed every time. Still, his dreams in this respect have not been shattered yet.

Shambhu Shetty dropped out of school when he was seven-year-old. He participated in the freedom struggle since 1932 and twice he was put behind bars. He is one of the oldest freedom fighters in the state. He has already received citation from former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. Now the question is, will the officials pick him to attend the President's tea party this time at least?

He was lodged at the Hindalaga jail in Belgaum and Yerawada Jail in Pune for participating in the freedom struggle. He was caned at Mumbai on January 23, 1945 for violating the restrictions on the birthday celebrations of Subhaschandra Bose. He resides at Shivakripa, located close to Bunts Hostel road in Udupi. He likes to wear white dresses. MLAs Raghupati Bhat and Abhayachndra Jain have already sent his references to the chief minister. District deputy commissioner P Hemalatha has also sent his name to the principal secretary of the department of personnel and administrative reforms for being considered for the above honour.

Even in his advanced age, Shambhu Shetty continues to retain the same fighting spirit that guided him through the freedom struggle. It is sad that he has to fight for attending the tea party of the President although he richly deserves such a chance. He is not in a position to travel through the train to attend this party as he is 90-year-old now. Therefore, he is expecting permission to travel by air. He is looking forward to attending the party with his wife Ratnavati Heggade (78).

The district administration has been sending his name to the department of personnel and administrative reforms since 2004. The train was cancelled owing to heavy rains when he was selected for the first time. He could not attend the party last year owing to sickness. He is eager to attend the President's tea party this time. Let us hope he would be able to do so.