Rons Bantwal
Mumbai, Jul 9: Former MP Gopal C Shetty said that L V Amin is a compassionate personality who embraced human values and nurtured warm relationships with all. He noted that Amin has displayed a rare ability to successfully discharge every responsibility entrusted to him and has today become an inseparable link among Tulu-Kannadigas. Shetty added that Amin has played a significant role in fostering unity and harmony between the Bunt and Billava communities and that his life story is an inspiration to society, making such recognition and documentation truly well deserved.
Shetty was speaking after releasing ‘Lok Sevak: L V Amin’, a felicitation volume on the life of noted senior industrialist, distinguished organiser and honorary president of Billava Association Mumbai, L V Amin. The volume, published by the Kannada Department of the University of Mumbai, was unveiled on Wednesday evening at the auditorium of Kavi Kusumagraj Marathi Bhasha Bhavan on the Kalina campus in Vidyanagari, Santacruz East, at a programme organised by the university’s Kannada Department.
The function was presided over by Prof G N Upadhya, Head of the Kannada Department, University of Mumbai. Renowned architect Ashok Purohit inaugurated the programme by lighting the ceremonial lamp. The chief guest was Aikala Harish Shetty, president of the World Federation of Bunt Associations. The dignitaries on the dais included Dr Rajasekhar R Kotian, immediate past president of the National Billava Mahamandala, Mulki; Dr R K Shetty, honorary general secretary of the Bunt’s Association, Mumbai; Dharmapal U Devadiga, president of Devadiga Maha Mandala; Purushottam S Kotian, vice-president of Billava Association Mumbai; Chandrashekar R Belchad, Administrative director of Sasihithlu Shri Bhagavathi Temple; and Sujatha R Shetty, president of Kannada Sangha, Santacruz. They felicitated L V Amin and his wife Sudha L Amin, along with their family members, and congratulated them on the publication of the commemorative volume.
Members of the Amin family, including daughters Isha S Pradhan, Soumya N Salian and Dr Yutika Shashank, and sons-in-law Siddharth U Pradhan, Naveen S Salian and Dr Shashank Kishore, were present on the dais and extended their felicitations. The Kannada Department of the University of Mumbai also honoured social worker and organiser CA Srinivas P Safalya and the Airoli-based Mehta College for academic excellence, represented by general secretary V B Mugali and principal Dr B R Deshpande Mehta.
In his presidential address, Prof Upadhya said that among the university’s 55 departments, the Kannada Department has published the highest number of books and that the volume on L V Amin is its 120th publication. He remarked that Amin, the celebrated figure of the day, whose contributions to the Mumbai Kannada community are immense, hardly appears to be 75 years old. Having come to Mumbai at a young age and built a successful life while leading numerous institutions, Amin has emerged as a great coordinator who unites people. Upadhya added that Amin is closely acquainted with several national leaders and has rendered commendable service to Kannada. He said the department takes pride in documenting Amin’s inspiring journey in book form.
Responding to the felicitation, L V Amin recalled his impoverished childhood and agricultural background and spoke of the confidence he derived from Goddess Kateel Bhramarambika. He said his life in Mumbai, which began with carefully accounting for the Rs 50 he sent every month to his mother in his native village, had culminated in the publication of the volume. Remembering his father, Abbayya Venkappa Poojarthi, Amin dedicated the commemorative book to him and said that through this publication his mother’s dream had been fulfilled. He expressed gratitude to all those who had directly and indirectly shaped his life and honoured Baba Seth (Ramji Hariya), whom he described as an elder brother who laid the foundation for his professional life, by inviting him onto the stage and felicitating him.
Senior writer and editor of Akshaya monthly, Harish Hejamadi, introduced the book. Dr Poornima Sudhakar Shetty, assistant professor in the Kannada Department and editor of the felicitation volume, and Asha K Suvarna, student of the department and author of the work, were honoured by L V Amin. Asha Suvarna paid tribute to her mentor, Prof G N Upadhya, the chief architect behind the publication. The dignitaries also addressed the gathering and conveyed their best wishes.
Family members, well-wishers and admirers of L V Amin, employees of Ambika Group of Industries, heads of various organisations, office-bearers and members of Billava Association Mumbai and Kannada Sangha Santacruz, as well as professors and students of the Kannada Department, attended the programme and congratulated Amin.
Kala Bhagwat delivered the invocation, while Srinivas P Safalya offered a prayer in Yakshagana style. Dr Poornima S Shetty, associate professor of the Kannada Department, welcomed the gathering, introduced the guests and compered the programme. Sudha L V Amin proposed the vote of thanks.