Mangalore: Master Banker Palli Jayaram Shetty Passes Away
by Nina Rai, Daijiworld Media Network Mangalore
Mangalore, Aug 19:Palli Jayarama Shetty an outstanding banker, in fact one of the pioneers responsible for laying the foundation for making Vijay Bank Limited, stand tall today in the galaxy of other nationalized banks, passed away in the wee hours of the morning at the grand age of 94, at his Attavar residence.
Shetty had been ailing for some time and yesterday was put on ventilator, to assist his breathing. In fact Veerappa Moily hailed him as having kept the flag of financial credibility of Dakshina Kannada district, flying high. Whereas eminent industrialist and educationist N Vinay Hegde once metaphorically stated recalling his tenure at the bank “All the perfume of the bank (Vijaya Bank) whafted far and wide during his tenure”.
Brief history: P J Shetty, a tall, well built man with impressive looks, after completing his masters in economics and a degree in law joined the renowned judge the late K S Hegde as a junior lawyer. Later he joined Vijaya Bank and during his tenure as Secretary, the bank made significant progress. This was quite evident both in terms of the improved customer base and in increased turnover which was quite remarkable for a fledgling bank. Later he did become the CEO of the bank during the early 70’s and held many senior positions. An astute banker and a proficient academician, the bank came in for a lot of glory due to his yeomen contribution. In fact the annual report 1968 quotes the then chairman Mulki Sunder Ram Shetty stating succinctly “It is now my pleasant duty, both on my behalf and on behalf of my colleagues on the Board to place on record our appreciation of the valuable services rendered to the Bank by our Secretary Shri. P. Jayarama Shetty.”
Shetty was also a great sportsman and a patron of sports, especially football. He formed the JEM (Jayaram Enterprises Mangalore) Football Club. And since then the JEM grew as a strong outfit under his hawk eyes and the team regularly participated in most of the tournaments conducted by Dakshina Kannada Football Association (DKFA) and quite a few by the Karnataka State Football Association (KSFA). Shetty held various positions in the district football associations between the years 1995 to 2003. It was mainly due to his sporting endeavors that over a period of time JEM FC produced some of the best players to represent the Karnataka State football team.
Palli Jayarama Shetty leaves behind his wife Vanajakshi, three daughters and three sons. His funeral will leave Attavar, today evening. He will be missed by hordes of his well wishers, friends, his sports and banking colleagues, proteges and multitude of relatives who looked upto him for guidance and inspiration.