Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal(DC/MV)

Bantwal, Dec 23: NRI businessman Karinje Vinu Vishwanath Shetty, also the owner of Kambala buffaloes passed away here on Sunday, December 23.

Vishwanath Shetty(53) who worked towards preserving the traditional buffalo racing sport died of cardiac arrest while he was on his way to hospital.

According to sources, Shetty suffered minor cardiac arrest on Saturday when two-day 'Veera-Vikrama Jodukare Kambala' was organised in Siddakatte. His buffaloes had won first prize in senior category. However after the race he once again started getting chest pain and visited a doctor at Siddakatte. The doctor had advised to take him to Mangaluru for further treatment. However he passed away while he was taken to hospital.

Recently in five Kambala contests, his twin buffaloes Pancha and Kallabagilu had won four first prizes. Shetty owns hotels in India and Middle-east. In Padubidri he also bought six and a half acres for housing his Kambala buffaloes which has a host of luxuries including a swimming pool.

He is survived by wife, a daughter and a son along with several friends and hundreds of Kambala lovers.