Rons Bantwal

Daijiworld Media Network – Moodbidri (EP)

Moodbidri, Dec 18: Mumbai BJP South India chief secretary Vijay S Panakaje recently visited and extended helping hand to Spoorthi differently abled school and training center, Moodbidri founded by Prakash Shetty Shettigar and convened by Rejuvenate Child Foundation that has become the support in the lives of hundreds of differently abled children.

Social workers Durgadas Shetty and Prabhakar Shetty who were present on the occasion appreciated the compassion of Prakash Jaya Shettigar. Prakash Shetty Panakaje said that Banjara Goldfinch Prakashanna fame businessman, MRG group managing director Korangrapadi Prakash Shetty has come forward to felicitate Prakash Shettigar during Prakashabhimana programme in December at Mangaluru considering his service and to provide support for his service in the future.

Moodbidri based Prakash Shettigar, son of Jaya S Shettigar and Sharada is differently abled. He obtained education at St Thomas Higher Primary School and Jain High school, Moodbidri and migrated to Mumbai.

He said that his leg became weak due to sickness when he was in sixth grade. But his classmates began ridiculing him for limping when he resumed studies after recovery. He could not tolerate it and went to Mumbai. He did the work of cleaning vessels in the hotel for living, learning plumbing and returned to Moodbidri after several years. He had three children after marriage but one of his children was differently abled. He changed his mind and devoted his life for differently abled children. He became a plumbing contractor and started a school for such children.

Prakash looks after hundreds of children as his own. The students of Spoorthi school have participated in sports events at state and national level and brought laurels to the school and the state. They have won 400 medals during the last seven years. Two of the students have been selected for national level. Some have won prizes in national level powerlifting and are eligible to participate in international events.

The students are provided academic and professional education so that they can be independent in their lives. Prakash has been the guiding light in the lives of thousands of students. His school progresses with eight teachers and seven non-teaching staff members without government aid.

Prakash is the president of Prakash Special Olympic Bharat, Dakshina Kannada unit. He has indulged in social, educational and spiritual service by being the member of Dakshina Kannada Padmashali Samaja and Dakshina Kannada district Padmashali Vidyavardhaka Sangha.

He went around in his Omni vehicle and distributed free grocery and medicine to the houses of the needy during the Corona pandemic. He took the sick to hospitals, constructed three new houses, toilets and repaired four houses of poor families with help from donors. He has received state level Nekara Ratna award from Karnataka state Nekarara Samudaya Okkoota and Karnataka Yuvarathna award during Akhila Karnataka Beladingala Sahitya Sammelana held at Mulki Punaroor. Tulvara Chavadi organization Bengaluru has awarded Tulunada Siri award, Terekadu Vinayaka Yakshagana Kala Tanda has awarded him Yaksha Kaumudi award and Siripura Samskritika Prathistana Moodbidri has felicitated him with Siripura award 2023.