Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (MS)

Bengaluru, Sep 16: Dr B R Shetty, a Kannadiga who is renowned internationally for having established industries in the Gulf country of UAE was conferred with the prestigious 'Bharath Ratna Sir M Vishweshwaraiah Memorial Award - 2018' by the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI).

The award was presented to Dr B R Shetty by D V Sadananda Gowda, central minister and Dr Subramanian Swamy, BJP MP, in a glittering ceremony that took place in the office of FKCCI in the city on Saturday, September 15.

Speaking on the occasion, Subramanian Swamy taunting former PM Manmohan Singh, without taking his name said, "Former prime minister used to get scared by a frail woman. Till this mentality does not vanish from the minds of the Indians there is no possibility of development. The sheep, even though they are in thousands, get scared by the sight of a tiger. Similarly, the former prime minister used to carry on the administration fearing a lean framed lady. The development of the country is possible only when such mentality is given up."

"If we ask the students of USA they proudly say that we will do the achievements by facing the obstacles like Bill Gates. However, Indian students try to lead a peaceful life by getting a job. This kind of attitude needs to be changed. The youth and women, who are in large numbers in this country, have to instil such attitude," Swamy added.

Continuing his address, Dr Subramanian Swamy said, "We have the technology by which we can remove the salt from the sea water and use it for domestic purposes. However, no one is making use of this technology. That is why it has become an important question whether Tamil Nadu needs the Cauvery water or river. In Kalpakam, a local company has opened such a desalination unit and has become self-reliant with regards to its need for water. Sir M Vishweshwaraiah was not happy as the country was not utilizing the available water resources in a proper manner. In Jamnagar when Reliance Company asked water for industrial use with the local administration, they denied the same. Now Reliance has its own desalination plant. It was the dream of Sir M Vishweshwaraiah to achieve development through technology."

In his speech, D V Sadananda Gowda, BJP MP, said, "If we work with determination and honesty in life, success will come automatically. As Sir Vishweshwaraiah had both these qualities in him even today he is immortal. Entrepreneur Dr B R Shetty is a model to young industrialists. He has taken many challenges and tasted success in the industrial field. The present young generation has to adapt his success story."

Many eminent personalities of various fields and industries including Sudhakar Shetty, president of FKCCI and vice-president C R Janardhan were present on the occasion.

Experience of dethroning governments

Dr B R Shetty asked the cooperation of central minister Sadananda Gowda to develop tourism at Jog falls. Subramanian Swamy who intervened and jokingly said, "Sadananda Gowda had confided in me that we do not have our government in the state to help Shetty. He also asked me whether it is possible to bring down this government. I already have the experience of pulling down three governments."

I will present a gift to Karnataka

Responding after receiving the award Dr B R Shetty said, "I have got the opportunity of converting the Jog falls into a tourist destination. This is not a project to earn money. I have earned a lot from the state of Karnataka. Now it is time for me to contribute something back to the state. Our prime minister had come to UAE after many years. I had told him that I am ready to invest in projects of highways, bridges, drinking water etc in India."

Dr B R Shetty also recalled that it was extremely hot and humid in Abu Dhabi when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the capital of UAE. “PM's speech was arranged in open ground. We installed air conditioners everywhere. Due to this the temperature came down from 40 degrees to 38 degrees,” he said.