Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Apr 29: The mention of Mulki Sunder Ram Shetty evokes a sense of awe, reverence, appreciation and gratefulness among the people of coastal Karnataka. Because Shetty, born on April 30, 1915 in Kakwaguthu lineage of Mulky, excelled in everything he did, right from insurance, Triton and Atlas company, and Vijaya Bank, and several other places and position in which he served. On his birth anniversary, Shetty is being remembered and thanked by millions who benefitted because of him.

Shetty touched lives of the people living Dakshina Kannada and Udupi district in many ways including opening of Vijaya Bank branches in nooks and corners and enabling people to come up in life through loans and advances which were granted to them on easy terms, providing employment to scores of poor youngsters, and helping in other ways wherever possible.

Mulki Sunder Ram Shetty need not have worked to eke out a living because his family was ultra rich. However, he yearned to get education and get experience of working in different fields. He underwent high school education in St Aloysius, Mangaluru. He joined Asiatic Insurance Company as an agent, and was offered the job of manager in several other insurance companies later because of his ability. He even was made the managing director of Crescent Insurance in Mumbai. He further worked for Madras Insurance, and Bengaluru office of Triton and Atlas. Because of his excellent performances everywhere, the then chairman of Vijaya Bank, Manjaiah Hegde, offered him the post of the director of his bank in 1946. Shetty took over as full time chairman of Vijaya Bank in 1969.

Vijaya Bank saw glorious years after Shetty made Bengaluru its head office. Shetty was instrumental in achieving high growth of the bank by merging several small banks with Vijaya Bank during this period. His heart always throbbed to the needs of the people, and everyone who approached him for help got what he wanted, once Shetty was convinced about the genuineness of the need. His generosity in providing employment to people from all communities changed the lives of these families, as the children of these families got good education, could come up in life by becoming doctors, scientists, engineers etc. He was also instrumental in the building of 'Jnana Mandira' hall in Bappanadu Goddess Durgaparameshwari Temple.

Shetty was always straightforward, and those who served the bank well were sure to get rewarded. On account of certain developments during the period Janata Party formed government at the centre, he had to leave this coveted post. He lived with his son and daughter in USA for sometime thereafter. After returning to Bengaluru, he founded Vijaya Leasing and Finance. In 1981, he went to USA for health check up, but within a few weeks thereafter, breathed his last in the same year. Lacs of people paid homage to this leader when his body was brought to Bengaluru.

Mulki Sunder Ram Shetty is one of the pillars on which glory of Tulu Nadu was achieved. On the occasion of his centenary year, he richly deserves to be remembered, appreciated, and emulated.

Sunder Ram Shetty sowed seeds of self employment concept: Veerendra Heggade

Sunil Haleangady
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Apr 29: Dharmadhikari of Dharmasthala, Dr D Veerendra Heggade, confessed that he conceptualized providing self employment training to the jobless, on the basis of experience he earned when attending board meetings of Vijaya Bank during his younger days, when Mulky Sunder Ram Shetty was its chairman.

He was speaking after inaugurating the birth centenary celebrations of Mulki Sunder Ram Shetty. The function was held on Sunday April 26 at the auditorium of Goddess Durgaparameshwari Temple in Bappanadu, Mulky.

"Shetty was very careful towards ensuring that money was spent judiciously. The path-breaking and on-the-spot decisions he took to make poor people financially independent could change the very picture of coastal Karnataka. Those who approached Shetty after losing land due to the implementation of Land Reforms Act got jobs because of his good gesture. Because of this, these families became financially sound and educationally forward. Shetty was known for quick thinking, strong and bold decisions. His heart always went out to poor people," Heggade recalled.

On this occasion, Heggade, who was recently decorated with 'Padma Vibhushan' national honour, was felicitated.

Chancellor of Nitte University, Dr N Vinay Hegde, who presided over the function, stressed that paying tributes to the late Sunder Ram Shetty should not stop at constructing a building on the occasion of his 100th birth anniversary. "The people whose tears he wiped out should continue to wipe tears from the eyes of more people. This is the way we can pay back our debts to this great soul. I will join hands in this endeavour," he added.

Noted entrepreneur, Dr R N Shetty, was felicitated on this occasion. In reply to the felicitation, Shetty announced a donation of Rs 1.5 crore towards the construction of a building as a memorial to Sunder Ram Shetty at Mulky.

District in-charge minister, Vinay Kumar Sorake, who hailed the late Sunder Ram Shetty as a person who achieved upliftment of poor farmers and bringing in social transformation, announced that on behalf of the state government, full support will be extended to the construction of the memorial building.

Youth empowerment and fisheries minister, K Abhaychandra Jain, who recollected priceless contributions made by Sunder Ram Shetty for the financial progress of the district, called upon those who benefitted from him to keep remembering him day in and day out. MP, Nalin Kumar Kateel, also paid rich tributes to the great soul for his contributions towards driving away poverty from the district.

Managing director of MRG Group, Prakash Shetty, also promised to fully support the construction of memorial building in honour of Sunder Ram Shetty. Executive director of Vijaya Bank, K R Shenoy, announced a donation of Rs 20 lac for the memorial building on behalf of the bank.

Mulky town panchayat president, Meenakshi Bangera, litterateur, Dr Erya Laxminarayana Alva, former vice chancellor of Manipal University, Dr B M Hegde, chairman of Alva's Group of Educational Institutions, Dr Mohan Alva, president of Mumbai Buntara Sangha, Karnire Vishwanath Shetty, Vishwa Buntara Sangha vice president, Aikala Harish Shetty, sons of Sunder Ram Shetty, Mulky Ashok Kumar Shetty and Hariprasad Shetty, and managing trustee of Bappanadu temple, Manohar Shetty, participated as chief guests.

Dugganna Sawant, who is the current Arasu of Mulky province, inaugurated a procession taken out on the occasion.

Retired general manager of Vijaya Bank, Dr Shankar Shetty, welcomed. Secretary of the centenary committee, Raviraj Shetty, delivered introductory address. Award-winning teacher, Kudi Vasant Shetty, conducted the programme. Deputy general manager of Vijaya Bank, Uday Shetty, proposed vote of thanks.