Daijiworld Media Network- Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru Jul 30: Mulki Sunder Ram Shetty Abhimani Balaga and Vijaya Bank Workers and Officers Union Mangaluru zone organized the annual remembrance of Mulki Sunder Ram Shetty, former chairman of the Bank at Town Hall here on Saturday July 29.

The issue of renaming the St Aloysius College Road to Mulki Sunder Ram Shetty road was discussed at length during the meet.

In his introductory speech, former minister Amarnath Shetty said, "During the year 2009, the Vijaya Bank workers union submitted a proposal to name any road in Mangaluru after Mulki Sunder Ram Shetty. After five long years this matter gained momentum when Mangaluru City Corporation called for a meeting and took a firm decision to rename the Light House Hill road to Mulki Sunder Ram Shetty road because of the existence of Vijaya Bank head quarters in that stretch. It was unanimously agreed by the members of Mangaluru City Corporation during the council meeting and it was passed without any objections. Later MCC had published a notification in the newspaper regardind this matter for a period of two months so that in case of any objection, people could come forward, but no one opposed it.

"The government passed a notification dated 24-5-2017 to rename Light House Hill road as Mulki Sunder Ram Shetty road. So, as per the notification it was decided to formally inaugurate the road as Mulki Sunder Ram Shetty road on July 2 but temporary stay was brought to renaming this road. People who voluntarily agreed during the council meeting were seen opposing the renaming of the road. The government has done a U-turn in this matter which is totally wrong. The chief minister and the government should not have done this."

Eminent scholar Erya Laxminarayana Alva said, “The people who objected and made way for controversy have shown injustice to renowned institution and to the eminent personality of Mulki Sunder Ram Shetty. When Indira Gandhi indentified the top nationalised banks in the country, Vijaya Bank was one among them and the credit must go to Mulki Sunder Ram Shetty. When he took over the bank there were only 31 branches with only 171 workers but today it has reached to 613 branches with over 10,000 employees working in this bank and his achievement in banking sector is phenomenal. Mulki Sunder Ram Shetty set a record during 1973 when he launched 27 branches in a single day. In the name of the college this issue is politicised and created lot of confusion among people and god will watch those who objected this matter.”

MP Nalin Kumar Kateel said, “Mulki Sunder Ram Shetty’s contribution in banking sector will always be remembered. He was at the forefront in banking sector. He was the one who elevated Vijaya Bank and saved it from getting submerged. His works need to be appreciated. He was not involved in any discussion as his focus was only on doing good for the people without any bias. He groomed many people belonging to all religions in this sector. There is no legal document that this road was named after Aloysius College and MCC had given green signal to rename this road as Mulki Sunder Ram road. During the year 2016, even MCC commissioner claimed that Light House Road was just a custom. So BJP and I will always stand in support of Vijaya Bank regarding this issue.”

President of Buntara Yaane Nadavara Mathr Sangha Ajith Kumar Rai Malady said, “Vijaya Bank workers association have proceeded as per the law to rename the Light House Hill road to Mulki Sunder Ram Shetty road and MCC also unanimously agreed for the same. Butall of a sudden within no time temporary stay was brought to this matter on July 1 due to which we had to cancel the inauguration of renaming the road. Now who is violating the law, we always stand and prioritize harmony. But during the recent press briefing at Aloysius College they claimed that I have politicised the issue with a communal colour which I completely deny. This should not be reason to divide ourselves.”

During the conclusion of the remembrance programme Mulki Sunder Ram Shetty Abhimani Balaga and Vijaya Bank Workers and Officers Union Mangaluru zone demanded to withdraw the temporary stay order of renaming the road to Mulki Sunder Ram Shetty.

VHP leader MB Puranik, corporator Ganesh Hosabettu, Vedavyas Kamath, Pradeep Kumar Kalkura, former minister Nagaraj Shetty, Monappa Bhandary, Asha Jyothi Rai, AJ Shetty, Vijay Kumar Shetty and others were present.