Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Apr 13: A group of ten workers, devastated by the coronavirus lockdown, was on its way to a village in Dharwad district, which happens to be their native place, by foot from Manipal. The group had four women including a pregnant lady. Duly understanding the hardships they were going through, well-known social worker Vishu Shetty Ambalpady from here rescued them and took responsibility to provide them shelter for 15 days. This incident in which humanitarian concern reigned supreme, happened at Brahmavar in the district on Saturday April 11.

Vishu Shetty was returning home after providing rice and other provisions to a helpless woman from Brahmavar at night when he noticed that a harassed group of labourers that included women was wearily walking towards their native place. Shetty stopped and questioned them. The workers said that the entire family had reached Udupi just four days before the lockdown began and hence they did not have money. They were able to get only lunch each day and nothing else for the rest of the time till next afternoon. Unable to bear this situation, the group had decided to reach their native place somehow by foot and reached Brahmavar when Shetty saw them. The group was unable to get any vehicle on the way. The fact that one of the group members was pregnant, and they also had a three-year-old child with them, was proving to be too much for the group. The condition of the pregnant woman was piteous as she was too much tired.

Shetty assessed the situation and instilled confidence in the group. He said that no one is allowed to move out of the district, and it will be very difficult for the pregnant woman and the child to walk in hot climate. He promised to provide food to the group for 15 days. The family agreed to this suggestion and profusely thanked Shetty for the gesture. Shetty then contacted the Udupi tahsildar.

The group was brought to Manipal in the vehicles of Vishu Shetty and the tahsildar. They were dropped off at their shelter and dinner was arranged by Vishu Shetty.

He also delivered 40 kg rice, eight kg Ragi powder, toor dal, 15 kg vegetables, oil, red chilli, sugar, and other food items at the place where the group lives. Through this act, Vishu Shetty again exemplified his kind-heartedness and humanitarian virtues.