Silvester Dsouza
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)
Kundapur, Feb 28: "People who seek to give a meaning to their lives often end up settling down in far off places. Such persons also keep helping their native places. This programme where such people are felicitated by the people of their own native places is highly appreciable. Just breathing to survive is not the meaning of life. Social and spiritual life is the real thing that gives meaning to life. The Lord is at the top of one's life while wishing that others too should come up is a feeling of fulfillment. It is necessary to offer thanks and celebrate people who have helped our villages. Praveen Shetty, who led thousands of people towards progress in life is a person whose glory has spread long and wide," said spiritual head of Subrahmanya Math, Sri Vidyaprasanna Teertha Swamiji.
The Swamiji delivered benedictory address at the Huttoora Abhinandana (felicitaiton on behalf of native place) organized by Vakwadi Praveen Shetty Sanmana Samiti near Vakwadi Fortune Village Hotel on Sunday February 27.
Kannada and culture minister, V Sunil Kumar, speaking after handing over the key of an ambulance donated by Praveen Shetty to Prasad Netralaya, revealed that being a minister, he had suggested to the selection committee to give Kannada Rajyotsava award to a person who has achieved a lot without being in the limelight and to a person who remains low key in spite of doing great things. He said that Praveen Kumar Shetty was chosen for the Rajyotsava award in recognition of his achievements in Dubai and elsewhere, even though he had not applied for the recognition. He felt that the award given to Shetty has in turn has brought honour to the state and the department is indebted to him. He wished that like Shetty, who uses most of the profit he earns in the Gulf for the progress of his native place, others too draw inspiration from him.
Primary and secondary education minister, BC Nagesh, speaking after releasing the souvenir, said that the service rendered by Praveen Shetty during the Covid times is memorable. He also recollected that he has undertaken decisive programme for the survival of Kannada school in Dubai. He said that Praveen Kumar Shetty has entered into an agreement to adopt Vakwadi school.
On this occasion, 17 infirm people were given medical help assistance. As many as 25 students of Vakwadi school were given uniforms.
Basrur Appanna Hegde, president of Vakwadi Prveen Shetty Huttoora Sanmana Samiti, presided. Speaking after accepting the felicitation, Praveen Kumar Shetty said that after he received the Rajyotsava award, he was saddened by the demise of Puneeth Rajkumar. He said that the satisfaction, elation and a sense of fulfillment one derives out of the felicitation one gets from the people of his native place exceeds all other felicitations he was accorded in other places.
Former minister C S Puttaraju, deputy leader of the opposition, U T Khader, Udupi MLA K Raghupati Bhat, Byndoor MLA B M Sukumar Shetty, Mangaluru north MLA Dr Y Bharath Shetty, MLC Manjunath Bhandary, Coastal Development Authority chairman Mattaru Ratnakar Hegde, editor Vshweshwar Bhat, entrepreneur K Nagaraj, UAE Kannadigas president Sarvotham Shetty, former MLC M Srinivas, Patla Foundation founder president Patla Sathish Shetty, Udupi Prasad Netralaya medical director Dr Krishnaprasad, honorary president of Sanmana Samiti, Anand C Kunder, wife of Praveen Shetty, Roopali, music director and composer Gurukiran, actor-director Rishab Shetty, actor Haripriya etc were present.
M Balakrishna Shetty, principal of Sri Ramakrishna degree college Mangaluru, delivered the felicitation address. Secretary of the committee, Venugopal Hegde, welcomed. Dinakar S Shetty, delivered introductory address. Journalist K C Rajesh and Mahesh Vakwadi compered the programme.