Obituary

Maxim Sequeira, aged 88 years, son of (late) (Kalmargi) Thomas and (late) Remedia Sequeira; husband of (late) Patricia; father of Cynthia, Pamela and Ophelia; brother of Felcy (Bangalore), Josephine (Bombay), Edwin (U.S.A.), and of (late) William, (late) Fr. Augustine, (late) Theresa, (late) Anthony, passed away on 23nd February in Bombay; funeral on 24th. 

B D Shetty's Unitop to Team up with Malaysia's Hextar

Chemical, Product maker Unitop chemical Pvt Ltd  has teamed up with Malaysia’s Hextar chemical Sdn to expand its product range and to widen worldwide customer and industry market reach.

Unitop is the top player in Chemical Industry in India, headed by B D Shetty, a dynamic entrepreneur from Barkur,  settled in Mumbai. He is the founder of Barkur Brahmavar Citizen’s Forum which takes it interest in developing the twin towns Barkur and Brahmavar together. They have planned and were instrumental in providing some necessary facilities in the Barkur Railway station. He is brother of Sudhakar Shetty, main sponsor of the Srimathi Rukmini Shedthi Memorial National Government First Grade College Barkur and main donor to the college.

Unitop have equal ownership of Hextar Unitop Sdn Bhd, which will make specialty chemicals for the agriculture, oil and gas, textile and personal care products industries.

Hextar executive director Eddie Ong choo Meng  said the partnership for the firm’s global business which is already present in 13 countries.

Unitop Managing director B D Shetty said the alliance will be a plat form for their first overseas venture. It wants to find a foothold in the fast growing economy of Southeast Asian countries including China and Australia.

"We will build a Rs 130 million plant in Pulau Indah. Port Klang in two years and export our products to 17 countries especially targeting china" Eddie Ong said.

The plant will bring a revenue of Rs 600 million in its fifth year of operations Ong told reporters in Selangor yesterday  after the companies inked their cooperation witnessed by international Trade and Industry ministry Parliamentary See and Sanjay Panda, the Economic India in Malaysia.

Shetty said the plant will have a capacity of 6,000 tones a year on a single shift basis for 300 working days. It will run at half of its capacity in the fifth year. At full capacity it would chalk up revenue of RM50 Million.

Mumbai based Unitop meanwhile is a small and medium scale enterprise company turning an annual revenue of US$ 25 Million last year. It specializes in specialty chemicals used in oilfields, paper and personal products care industry.

Hextar Chemicals is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hextar holdings Bhd, a firm that was headed for a listing on the second board in June last year. That plan was scrapped due to tax matters that had to be resoled. Company officials say.

On said this time the company plans to float its shares on the main board of bursa Malaysia as its factory requirements. He however did not specify any time frame.

About Unitop:

The group is headed by B D. Shetty, having its corporate office in Mumbai near international airport. An ISO 9001:2000 certified company has established in various surfactants and specialty chemicals for agro-chemical formulations, oil exploration, refining, textiles, pharmaceuticals, rubber and plastic industries for the past 30 years and today are one of the leading manufacturers of NON-IONIC/ANIONIC surfactants.

The group is also engaged in export production of agro emulsifiers/ surfactants.

Courtesy : Rons Bantwal, www.daijiworld.com

The Suvarna Grama Yojane tooks off at Barkur.

About a year back we reported the inaugural of Suvarna Grama Yojane at Barkur after Barkur was selected one of the few villages that were selected under the scheme and were granted funds for the total development of the village.

Now its is announced that Barkur Grama Panchayth is to receive Rs.1 crore and 8 Lakhs under the scheme and the “Guddali Pooje” or the blessings of the works to be undertaken was done at Barkur on February 18^th.

Shri Vikhyathananda Sawmiji of Karkala Hosmaru Balkottu Shri Gurukripa Sevashrama lighted the lamp and inaugurated the development works.

Former Minister K Jyaprakash Hegde, B.Shantharama Shetty, President, Barkur Grama Panchayath, Kota Shrinivasa Poojari, President, BJP, Udupi Ditsrict, Rathnakara Shetty, President , Rotary Club, Barkur, Venkataramana Bhandarkar, Members of Auto Rickshaw and Car Drivers association and many people from the village witnessed the event.

More details of the works will be reported as and when the jobs are started and completed.

Decennial celebrations took off at Rukmini Shedthi Memorial College, Barkur

The Decennial Year of Shrimathi Rukmini Shedthi Memorial National Government First Grade College inaugurated in a colorful ceremony on 18^th February at the college campus. The formal announcement of new degree courses and the accreditations by NAAC and UGC were also done at the College day function.

Former Minister K Jayaprakash Hegde inaugurated the new courses and speaking on the occasion he said that the college is doing excellent service to the rural students and with help of private sponsors and donors is doing very well.

Inauguration of Decennial Year celebration was done by Mega Sponsor of the College B.Sudhakar Shetty, Managing Director, Vasudha Chemicals, Mumbai.

Principal C.Rajashekhara Hebbar Presided over the function.

B,Shantharama Shetty, President, Grama Panchayath, Barkur, K.K. Naik, Retired State Treasury Director, B.Seetharama Shetty, Retired Principal, NJC, Barkur, Abhishek M, Lecturer in charge of Students welfare, Preethika Shetty and Asha were the chief guests.

Pdamanabha K welcomed the gathering and Nagaraja Vaidya proposed the vote of thanks.

Inter college talents competitions were held on 17^th February and students from over 15 colleges from the surroundings participated in the event. Prizes for the winners were distributed at the inaugural ceremony.

Golden Star Ganesha’s reception at Barkur

Golden star Ganesha of Sandalwood married recently Shilpa, a girl from Barkur origin. Initially the wedding was planned on February 18^th at Shri Sankamma Thayi Resorts at Barkur and the wedding cards were distributed ay Barkur accordingly. But as we reported earlier due to some untold reasons, the couple tied the knot hurriedly few days back at Bangalore and there was a air of uncertainty at Barkur if the reception will be held at Barkur or not.

But as promised the Star couple arrived along with their parents and  the family members  to share their joy with the fans and relatives at 09.30 pm on 18^th February at Shri Sankamma Thayi Resorts at Barkur. Bride Shilpa is the daughter of Shivaram and Shakunthala Shettigar of Hosala Barkur, and her parents are the residents of Dubai.

Golden start Ganesh spoke on the occasion and greeted the people of Barkur as he arrived to Barkur first time  as a son in law. His fans started dancing with joy as he spoke.

Thousands of fans, media people, relatives were eager to click the photographs along with their favorite star. Many dignitaries frn Barkur including of B.Shantharama Shetty, Shrinivasa Shettigaar were present at the occasion.

Village to College scholarships distributed

Scholarships  for about 45 students of Srimati Rukmini Shedthi Memorial National Government First Grade College, under the patronage of Village to College Foundation  were distributed at the Dr.Gabriel Fernandes Auditorium in the college. This time the students were fortunate enough to receive the scholarships from the hands of Dr.Gabriel Fernandes himself who was on a brief personal visit to Barkur.  

Village to college scholarship programme which is running from the last ten years by Village to College foundation funded by Dr.Gabriel Fernandes is one of the best initiatives Barkur ever witnessed.  Remembering hardships he went through as a poor student at Barkur to obtain college degree, Dr.Fernandes started this foundation to help the needy students in and around Barkur for their higher education. Every year applications are invited from the students and the deserving students are scrutinized on the basis of merit and financial conditions and most of the applicants are helped Rs.1000 to Rs.2000 each. The selection is done with the help of Pro.Rajshekhar Hebbar, Principal and Lecturers from the college along with Dr.Gabriel himself.

Dr.Fernandes along with is younger brother Vincent Fernandes was welcomed to the college by Principal Hebbar and initially there was a interaction programme with the students where Dr.Gabriel  explained the purpose of the scholarships and inspired students with his insights.

Students along with their parents received the cheques  from Dr.Gabriel.  B.Seetharama Shetty, retired Principal of NJC proposed he vote of thanks. Ronald Praveen Correa and Abhishekam , Lecturers heading the student betterment committee  were present on the stage.

Later Dr.Gabriel was taken around to all the institutions run by Barkur Vidyabhivardhini Sangha, by B.Seetharama Shetty. They visted National Pre University College, National Industrial Training Institute and Vidyesha Vidyamanya National English Medium School.

Former Minister Jayaprakash Hegde All Set to Join Congress

Former minister, Jayaprakash Hegde has decided to join Congress, owing to the delimitation of constituencies by Election Commission, as he would be losing his constituency Brahmavar this time.  Hegde was elected thrice from his native, Brahmavar constituency.

Delimitation of constituency has come heavily on Brahmavar which is all set to be another taluk.  But owing to the pressure by almost all political parties, Brahmavar has lost out a chance to Kaup.  The latter constituency which has lowest number of population and is nowhere near to be a taluk in the near future managed to escape the axe since it is being represented either by Congress or BJP in the past.  But Brahmavar was represented by Jayaprakash Hegde who is an in dependent candidate.  Since he did not have the strong backing of any political party, he could not push the cause of saving Brahmavar constituency at the time of delimitation.

Now it is almost confirmed that he would join Congress and contest from Kundapur which is being considered as the stronghold of BJP ever since Haladi Srinivas Shetty started representing it. Since there are no strong and able candidates to contest against popular MLA of Kundapur, Jayaprakash Hegde, who has strong support even in Kundapur is being considered as the possible candidate, sources said.

He has clarified that it is difficult to contest the election as an independent candidate in the coming election. Therefore, he has been exploring the chances at the patronage of Congress, he informed.

Jayaprakash Hegde was elected from Brahmavar constituency when he was with Janata Dal. Later, he served the coastal district as minister of sports and fisheries in the cabinet of Deve Gowda and J H Patel. Moreover, he deserted Janata Dal and contested in Brahmavar Legislative Assembly Constituency as an independent candidate when Janata Dal was split in two. It is proof of his abilities and popularity that he has managed to win 3 elections as an independent candidate. He is also been known as one of the most respected MLAs all over the state.  The developmental works that he has carried out in Brahmavar constituency and his contact with each voter is indeed exemplary for other legislators.  He has kept in touch with the voters not only during elections but even after that and that is why it has been quite impossible for major political parties such as BJP and Congress to snatch Brahmavar from him.

Having failed to defeat him in the elections, the major political parties have played a dirty game of eliminating Brahmavar constituency from the state map, say locals who have been a witness to Jayaprakash Hegde's developmental works for more than 2 decades. 

Dr. Sr. Helen Consilia Fernandes – a tribute of love on behalf of Barkur.

Our visitors of this site must have gone through the archives of its ‘Personality of the Month’ columns Dr. Sr. Consilia Fernandes, once we flashed the news of her demise on 07/02/2008 in Hyderabad at the age of 67.

Yes that’s the least we can offer, rather do to a great human being, born in our own Barkur, lived like anyone of us, had primary education over here but chose a vocation indifferent to serve others in the foot steps of Jesus Christ. Today she is physically not with us, the ideals she stood for always will be there and surely she will be praying for all of us from heavens.

“In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love” – personally heard Mother Theresa, to the audience in Mangalore way back in 1980 during the Centenary celebrations of famous Fr. Muller’s Charitable Institutions.

While looking back at the life and living of Dr. Sr. Consilia, at distant Hyderabad, in Andhra Pradesh, she served the poor, sick with great affection and concern.

Mortal remains were placed in the Hospital Hall, to enable the innumerable admirers  to pay their last respects to the departed soul., hundreds of people, nuns, thronged the Vijay-Marie Hospital, for the last 3 days, a place she made her own since last 26 long years as Doctor, Head of the Department, and till the last as Medical Superintendent, weeping and bidding a tearful adieus to an advocate of poor who lived for higher purposes, her devotion to the care of the sick and the disadvantaged with sincerity, is the witness that she has won the hearts poor.

On Saturday, 9^th February, Funeral high mass was held at Our Lady of Health, Khirathabad, at 03.00 pm and Rt. Rev. Solomon Thumma, Vicar General of Arch-Diocese of Hyderabad, along with the Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Sunder and as many as 22 priests, innumerable nuns, and with an overflowing church, estimated 1500 plus well wishers.

Close family members, her elder brothers, Mr. Benedict Fernandes and wife Helen Fernandes, Dr.Gabriel Fernandes - noted scientist flown all the way from US, who was with her bed side when she peacefully breathed her last. Sister in law Mrs.Teresa Fernandes, her son Francis and daughter in law Daizy, younger brother Mr. Vincent Fernandes and his daughter Lovie with her small daughters were also there, to pay their last respects, to a person who was a great spiritual solace to the Fernandes clan. Barkur-on-line Team was represented by our Host Mr. Kishore Gonsalves, as she was laid to rest in Bhoiguda cemetery at Secunderabad.

Sisters of charity of Vijaya Marie Hospital, Hyderabad lead by Mother Provincial Romana Fernandes and Mother Superior Aliya have left no stone unturned to give the best treatment to Sr.Consilia when she was ill and to arrange a fitting funeral to the great departed soul.

We never know the value of water till the well is dry, and we are shocked to hear from some Telugu friend’s remarks over here, “is she belongs to your place? She really more than Mother Theresa for us. No, she should have lived for few more years”.

Many back home in Barkur may not aware what Dr. Sr. Consilia stood for and her service, popularity or goodwill with unknown Andhra Pradesh people…..Leave others, ourselves realized her worth when we heard from some strangers over here, whose families back in Hyderabad had proximity with Sr. Consilia. Water has dried in the stream, temporarily, the bed still there, Let us pray to Almighty, more and more such selfless people be born in our Barkur, to toe the path….. though very difficult…., Sr. Consilia walked in……. and from Heaven’s let her intercede for all of us. She will live long in our memories as she lived well her life.

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-Archibald Furtado, Muscat

Golden Star  Ganesh, the heartthrob of Kannada filmdom married a girl from Barkur!

Ganesh who was doing “ Comedy Time”  a popular TV programme on a Kannada TV channel shot into fame and turned out to be overnight hero after the runaway success of the blockbuster movie Mungaru Male last year. Movies starring him done more than Rs.100 crore business in the Kannada films last year.

With hits like Mungaru Male, Chellata, Cheluvina Chitthaara, Hudugata etc, this village boy created a sort of record in the Kannada Film circle by his exorbitant pay cheque.

This 29 year old most eligible bachelor of Karnataka married yesterday night to Shilpa, daughter of Shivaram and Shakunthala Shettigar of Hosala Barkur. Based in Bangalore, Shilpa is a divorcee and her parents are the residents of Dubai.

Wedding was originally scheduled at Sankamma Thayi Resorts at Barkur on Febraury 18^th and wedding invitations were distributed among the close relatives. But due to some untold reasons the couple tied the knot yesterday itself and are expected to visit Barkur soon.

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