Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)

Mangaluru, Jun 18: The portrait of the late Rangappa P Kamat, the doyen of the hotel industry and founder of Rangappa Kamat Group of Hotels, was unveiled at World Konkani Centre (WKC) here on Saturday, June 18.

Shrinivas V Dempo, chairman, Dempo Group Goa unveiled the portrait along with Nandagopal Shenoy, president of World Konkani Centre, Ramachandra R Kamat, son of Rangappa Pai and chairman of Rangappa Kamat Group of Hotels, Pradeep Pai, trustee, WKC, and Giridhar Kamat, secretary, WKC.

Unveiling the portrait, Shrinivas V Dempo recalled the achievements of Rangappa P Kamat and said, "He was best known among his peers for his kindness, compassion and generosity with unassuming nature and simplicity. Our young generation should know him, read him and practice what he did. Rather than engaging in business he focused on empowerment of society. Many of the managers who worked in his hotels later became owners of known hotels. Rangappa encouraged them and showed how the young generation can be empowered. I am the luckiest person to unveil his portrait at WKC. I hope WKC will move the projects with empowerment of youths for a better tomorrow."

Remembering his father, Ramachandra R Kamat said, “My father was focused on his business and through his business he became a bread provider for more than thousand families. He had some principles in his life. Now, we his children are trying to follow him too without compromising in his way of compassion and generosity. We thank WKC for remembering and honouring him.”

Introducing Rangappa P Kamat to the gathering, Pradeep Pai said, "Rangappa Pandurang Kamat was born in 1919 in Bengre village near Murdeshwara, North Karnataka. He moved to Hubballi at a tender age of six and studied up to 3rd standard with the support of his elder brother. To support his large family which was in dire financial condition he joined his elder brother for work at a coffee club in Hubballi. At a tender age of 19, he established his first restaurant called Vasanth Bhavan in the year 1938. Later, he succeeded in building the popular restaurant chain 'Kamat'.

“Through his success, Rangappa P Kamat emerged as a legend in the restaurant industry in India. He was a man with strong instincts, indomitable will, futuristic vision, shrewd business acumen and burning passion for the restaurant industry,” he said.

Giridhar Kamat rendered the vote of thanks. Guru Baliga, CEO, WKC compered the event.