Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Sept 13: A 2.5 feet panchaloha bust of late Rajya sabha member, Congress senior leader Oscar Fernandes was unveiled on his first death anniversary, on Tuesday, September 13 in the premises of Congress Bhavan at Brahmagiri here.
Former MLC Prathapchandra Shetty unveiled the bust and offered a garland on the idol in a programme organized by the District Congress Committee Udupi. Meanwhile, Judith Sheshta, Oscar's sister, Ivan D’Souza, former MLC, Ashok Kumar, president, Udupi District Congress Committee, Gopal Poojary, former Byndoor MLA, M A Gafoor, Mithun Rai were present on the occasion.
Former minister Vinay Kumar Sorake, speaking on the occasion, said, "Oscar Fernandez is one of rarest persons in politics, known for his simplicity, honest, good personality. The comrade worked as a common party worker at the national level and state level also. He dedicated his life to the Congress party. He was the dearest and faithful man to Nehru. He never wanted publicity for his work. Oscar and V S Acharya, both worked beyond the party. Oscar was involved in many developmental projects in the coastal region like Sugar factory, Varahi project, International airport, Konkan railway, Shiradi ghat road and many more. We have given a letter to the municipality to name the Brahmagiri circle after Oscar Fernandes and now it is pending with the urban development department for approval," he added.
Ivan said that, "Oscar was a national leader. He organized a condolence meeting for Late V S Acharya at the district Congress office. He gained the affection and faith of all people irrespective of religion, caste and creed. He is the best example for achieving anything in the globe with love, hard work. I would urge the municipality and district administration to install a statue of Oscar in the circle in order to commemorate and pass on his life and political journey to the future generation."
The statue was carved by Harish Nayak at a cost of Rs 3 lac.
William Martis, Vasudeva Yadiyala, Hiriyanna, Bhujanga Shetty, Dinesh Puthran, Narasimha Murthy, Harish Kini, Udyavara Nagesh Kumar, Bhaskar Rao Kidiyur, Annaiah Serigar, Kirti Shetty, Prakhyath Shetty, Santhosh Shetty Hiriyadka, Kudi Vasant Shetty, Kishan Hegde Kolkebail, Geeta Vagle, Dr Sunita Shetty, Roshani Olivera, Naveen Chandra Shetty, Keerthi Shetty, Kishore Kumar Yermal, Bipin Chandrapal Nakre, Ramesh Kanchan, Vikas Hegde and others were present.
The Oscar Fernandes' Fan Club celebrated his first death anniversary and distributed fruits to the patients of district hospital in Ajjarkad and Women's and Children's Hospital and Kundapur Government Hospital.
On this occasion, Ronald Manohar Karkada, honorary president of Oscar Fernandes Fan Club, prominent Manjit Nagaraj, Mohammed Sheesh, Congress leaders M A Gafoor, Ramesh Kanchan, Prakyath Shetty, Yatish Karkera, Arvin Fernandes, Naveen Shetty, Harish Shetty, Dr Madhusudan Nayak and district surgeon were present.