Pics by: Justin D'Silva
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (JD)
Udupi, May 29: "B R Shetty is an example for the Bunt community that we should never lose hope and fail under any circumstance. I firmly believe that B R Shetty will bounce back like a phoenix," said Dr. Mohan Alva, President Alvas Foundation Moodbidri.
He was delivering his congratulatory note to Dr B R Shetty at the Bunt Sammilana and financial aid distribution program organised by Buntarayane Nadavara Matra Sangha, Udupi taluk committee.
"B R Shetty started his firm with just one employee and now he has given employment to more than 40,000 people around the world. B R Shetty is a pride of the Bunt community. In 1976, he started the NMC clinic. B R Shetty started the New Medical Centre. In 1990, he began a private hospital in Arabian land. Whenever I met him during those days I saw that he was self poised and courageous. He always said that he worked hard with dedication and transparency. People of Udupi know his contribution to his homeland. He built an international level hospital in Udupi. There are no billing counters at his hospital in Udupi," he said.
Dr B R Shetty was felicitated on the occasion by Buntarayane Nadavara Matra Sangha (R) Udupi taluk committee. Dr H S Ballal, Pro Chancellor MAHE inaugurated the programme and distributed the financial aid to the deserving Bunt families along with other dignitaries.
On receiving the felicitation, Dr B R Shetty said, "This is a big honour for me as the Bunt community of my homeland Udupi has honoured me. Money can't do anything. My Mother had told me to do good to the community and society when I left for Abu Dhabi for the first time. I had a strong instinct to come up. I became the first outdoor salesman in Abu Dhabi. The benevolence of the Royal family gave a platform to work for me. I had two CEOs who were CA's. I experienced breach of trust for the first time. First time, a breach of trust came to me I did not doubt it. I have the complete support of the royal family to come up. I am confident that I will come back and I will continue to contribute" he said.
Dr Avinash Shetty, Medical super indent Kasturba Hospital Manipal, Dr B Jagadish Shetty Brahmavar, historian Shobha Suresh Shetty, Yoga instructor Shrikanth Shetty, Journalist Vishu Shetty Ambalpady, social worker Mahabala Shetty Nittur, district Rajyotsava awardee Akshitha Hegde Shirva, India book of records winner for mirror writing were also felicitated on the occasion.
Dr H S Ballal, Pro Chancellor MAHE on inaugurating the program said "More than 75% among us reside in rural areas. It is a great thing that the Bunt community association is reaching to the rural bunt households also. Rural people won't be having equal opportunities for medical and educational facilities compared to urban people. Students from our community should start coming into IAS, IPS and other competitive fields. Proper training should also be facilitated to them. The 1974 Land Reforms Act was a turning point for the Bunt community, it made us divert our attention to other fields from agriculture. Bunts spread their wings to many more forays" he said.
Ajith Kumar Rai Malady, president, Buntarayane Nadavara Matra Sangha, Mangaluru in his address said, "Efforts of our forefathers who established this association 114 year ago by visiting the households of three districts by footsteps is responsible for our today's well established community. We have begun the work of Global Bunt community survey already, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic it was delayed. This survey will provide with us details about the economic, social and other matters of our community members," he said.
Hastha Shetty, assistant zonal forester, Kundapur, B Jayaraj Hegde, convener president, Buntarayane Nadavara Matra Sangha, Udupi taluk committee, Nithish Kumar Shetty, co-convener members of the taluk committee, presidents of Udupi Taluk level Bunt associations were present on the occasion.