Deccan Herald
Udupi, Aug 9: Veteran freedom fighter Shambhu Shetty has received an invitation to be present along with his wife at the tea party to be organised at Rashtrapati Bhavan on August 9. But Shetty himself has turned down the invitation this time.
Veteran freedom fighter Shambhu Shetty has been receiving invitation from the Rashtrapati Bhavan for the tea party organised on the occasion of Independence Day celebration. However, due to certain problems, the journey was being cancelled. This year, Shetty has received an invitation to be present along with his wife at the tea party to be organised at Rashtrapati Bhavan on August 9. But Shetty himself has turned down the invitation this time. He said, reaching the mark of 89 years along with accompanying diseases, he will find it difficult to travel such a long distance by train.
Another invitation
In the meantime, Shetty has received another invitation from Governor T N Chaturvedi to participate in a tea party to be organised on August 9. However, expressing gratitude for the invitations extended to him, Shetty said he has decided against going anywhere.
Shetty informed that if he was invited to travel to New Delhi by flight, he might have considered the invitation.
Last year District in-Charge Minister Dr V S Acharya had assured to make arrangements for flight, which did not materialise.
Even pontiff of Pejawar mutt had assured the same, but there was no intimation later. Commenting on the present political scenario, he lamented the vote bank politics that is resorted to by all political parties.
Though at a glance the country seems to be developing, ideologically it is going downhill, he exclaimed. Till the eligible get the due recognition, the country will not be able to witness allround development.
Development will remain a dream forever, he quipped. Countries like Israel and Japan have moved far ahead of India after gaining independence, since they have respect for their land. However, this quality is vanishing in India.
Due to the policy of reservation, laziness and hatred is increasing. Thus the vision of independent India has not yet fulfilled, he added.