Rons Bantwal
Mumbai, Aug 30: Office-bearers of the Mumbai committee of the Moodushedde Sri Vishnumurthy Temple renovation committee met Kalyan member of parliament Dr Shrikant Eknath Shinde at his official residence, Shubhdeep Bungalow in Louiswadi, Thane, on Sunday to submit an appeal for donations towards the temple's development.
Mumbai committee president Moodushedde Vishwanath S Shetty, honorary president Mundappa S Payyade, and secretary Divakar Rai submitted the memorandum. They proposed constructing a hall named 'Dr Shrikant Lata Eknath Shinde Auditorium' to immortalise the names of the member of parliament and his parents in Moodushedde village.
As per the blueprint, the ground floor will feature a kitchen and dining area spanning 11,980 square feet, while the first floor will house an auditorium covering 9,085 square feet. Vishwanath S Shetty stated that the committee has humbly requested Dr Shrikant Shinde to support this noble cause with a donation of Rs 3.5 crore.
Recalling the foundation stone laying ceremony of the temple held in July, Shetty noted that Dr Shrikant Shinde’s speech had resonated deeply. During the event, he highlighted the historical and cultural ties between Karnataka and Maharashtra, mentioning Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's stay in Karnataka and the shared tradition of devotees from both states participating in the Pandharpur fair. The committee noted that his speech went viral among Tulu and South Indian communities worldwide, bringing immense pride and recognition to Moodushedde village.
Mundappa S Payyade expressed confidence that Dr Shrikant Shinde would soon fulfil his promise to attend the temple's upcoming Brahmakalashotsava along with his father, former chief minister and current deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde. He added that the address to a gathering of over 5,000 devotees during the foundation laying ceremony remains a proud memory for the locals, standing out in the history of temple renovations in Dakshina Kannada.
Temple's Mumbai committee vice president Sharmila D Rai, vice president Gopal Shetty, Shiv Sena South Indian wing Thane district president Subhash Shetty Innanje, and women's wing president Anupama Shetty were present during the meeting.