Shri Dharmaraja Shetty, Barkur
Few years back, when we heard that ‘Matsya Gandha Express’- Mumbai – Mangalore train will hereafter halt at Barkur Railway station there were no words to express our joy and happiness. Since then, thousands from at and around Barkur travelled by this train comfortably - especially elders and families, enjoying the serene beauty of nature of West Coast….and the very convenient timings. We heard of the name Sri Dharmaraja Shetty for the first time, so loudly and clearly being the man behind this noble job to convince the Konkan Railway authorities at Mumbai.
B. D Shetty discussing with Railway Minister for early starting of Matsya Gandha Express with railway Minister Ram Naik in 1997
B.D Shetty, President of JAVAB, honoring Shilpa Shetty, noted film actress
Since then many clippings, news items, elaborate articles, honors and recognitions, commemorating the achievements, success stories and social work we come across in leading periodicals both in Mumbai and native Mangalore, and all the time we felt ourselves proud, as he hail from our place!
We at ‘Team, barkuronline.com’, hesitant to attempt to draw the true portrait of such a tall and great personality for long – we doubt, our restricted 2 pages will no way do justice to the man and his family, as his was / is a wonderful personality – he is a renowned Chemical Engineer of the country today, a leading businessman having spread its branches all over India and even abroad, a social worker, model to imitate by any businessman, a leader led from the front both in business and yeoman service, a educationist touched, untouched avenues and a person never forgotten his humble beginning in native Barkur, a generous donor to needy hands and envisaged dozens of projects only to motivate, less privileged and youngsters of the locality.
Friends, you will be amazed to read the following as we…. a man, a part of rich Barkurian spirit at large, whose heart beat for the less fortunate one………
Mr. B.D Shetty being honored by Bunts Sangha Bombay, as an outstanding member by Mr. Manmohan Shetty
Foundation laying ceremony of Dharmavara Resort with Mr. Oscar Fernandes, Jaya Prakash Hegde & other dignitaries 1997. The place now is a full pledged resort with a fully air conditioned hall, restaurant and water sports facilities.
Sri Barkur Dharmaraj Shetty is a first class Chemical Engineer from National Institute of Technology, Suratkal. He is Chairman & Managing Director of Unitop Group of Industries, Mumbai including Dharmavara Resorts & Dharmavar Auditorium at Brahmavar, Udupi District.
Sri B. D. Shetty is a first generation Technical Entrepreneur specialized in Manufacturing, Marketing and Exporting Specialty Chemicals for more than 3 decades.
Barkur Brothers family along with Mr.Shetty's classmate Mr. K.V Kamath, CMD of ICICI Ltd.
Barkur Brothers
Barkur Anand Shetty, Advocate
Barkur Shaker Shetty, Ex- BARC
Barkur Sudhakar Shetty, MD, Vasudha Chemicals
Barkur Dharmaraj Shetty, CMD, Unitop Group
Barkur Ganesh Shetty, MD, Canara Tours & Travels Pvt Ltd
Unitop Group, started during 1973, is specialized in Industrial Surfactants and Emulsifiers used by Agrochemicals, Oilfields, Personal Care Products etc and is having wide Marketing Network throughout India having Branch Offices at Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Baroda, Chennai, Cochin, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkatta, Silvassa and Abroad.
Sri B. D. Shetty is Past President of Bombay Industries Association & Lions Club of Marol. He was an Executive Committee Member of Indian Merchants’ Chamber for 4 Years. At present, He is Member of Indian Institute of Materials Management, Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers, Indo-American Chamber of Commerce, Indo-American Society and many others. He is also a National Executive Member of Institute of Industrial Managers of India. He was also an active member of Managing Committee of Bunts Sangha, Mumbai and is President of Indian Bunts Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
Grand Inaugural Ceremony of M/S Unitop Chemicals Pvt Ltd In the year 1988.Mr. Sadananda Shetty, CMD of Vijaya Bank as Chief Guest.
Birds eye view of Dharmavara resort & Auditorium. Dharmavara Rural Exhibiting and Convention Center
A Cultural Programme in Dharmavara Auditorium with Holi Gumti Dance.
Sri B. D. Shetty is also a recipient of Silver Award for Marketing from the Indian Institute of Marketing Management, New Delhi during 1992-93. Unitop Chemicals Pvt. Ltd. was adjudged as the Best Managed SSI Unit from Raigad District for the Year 1991 by the Industries Commissioner, Maharashtra. Recently, Council for Fair Business Practices (CFBP) conferred the prestigious “Jamnalal Bajaj Award” for the year 2007 to Sri B. D. Shetty & Unitop Group Companies under SME sector.
Unitop Group has set up a joint venture manufacturing unit in Malaysia recently by providing technical know-how to a Malaysian company in K.L. Similar Jt. Venture technical collaboration programme is underway in Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Income Tax Seminar with CCIT Mr. Pai & Minister Dhanajay Kumar as president of Bunts Chamber Commerce & Industries 2004
With Business Delegate to Singapore Lead by Mr. B.D Shetty in 1991
Unitop Chemicals Pvt. Ltd. is an ISO-9001:2000 accredited company and recently has been rated as CRISIL SE-1A (Highest Performance Capacity & High Financial Strength) under the scheme of NSIC-CRISIL performance and credit rating for SME sector.
Sri B. D. Shetty is happily married to Mrs. Saibala and has 2 married children, Son – Mr. Jeenanath Shetty (M.S. – USA) and Daughter –Rajeshwari (MBA – USA)
Further Details:
1. Early Education : Smt. Rukmini Shetty Memorial School, Herady
2. SSC : National High School, Barkur (NJC)
3. PUC : St. Aloysious College, Mangalore
4. Chemical Engg. : National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Suratkal (NITK – formerly KREC)
5. Founder President of Brahmavar-Barkur Citizens’ Forum to make Barkur-Brahmavar into a Model Growth Centre for Modern Horticulture, Agriculture, Food Processing Cottage Industries and Tourism.
6. President of Indian Bunts Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Mumbai –an organization committed for making our fellow businessmen and professionals to be of world class.
7. Promotor – Dharmavara Auditorium & Resorts for promotion of Tourism to Barkur
8. Instrumental in stopping Matysagandha Express at Barkur along with Barkur Citizens’ Forum’s cooperation.
9. Some of the projects initiated in the near future at Barkur:
(i) Establishing a Management Institute in Barkur, Kudli Village near railway station starting from Year 2009.
(ii) Establishing a co-operative agrifarm in Kudli village which is already in progress
(iii) Establishing a Modern Diagnostic Centre & Polyclinic in Barkur town along with Women Co-operative for manufacturing food items and processing fruits and vegetables grown in our farm and others – Work is in progress – construction will commence soon.
(iv) Establishing Shipping Institute at Bandimat with Tebma Shipyard Ltd. and Anita Education Society of Kokarne.
(v) Starting a diploma course on food processing in Barkur/Brahmavar under Mangalore University.
(vi) Establishing a supply chain network to supply vegetables and fruits to Hotels & Restaurants of Bombay, Goa in collaboration with AHAR, KRCL, METRO MALL.
(vii) Establishing a Village Mall packed food and SANTHE Market for Vegetables and agri products at Barkur.
Conclusion:
Dharma raja Shetty is lived and living a life two beautiful and meaningful words in his name signifies – Dharma and Raja – he is honest and impartial in his dealings as substantiated by various awards and citations over a period of time……He experienced most luxuries in life today but so simple, down to earth and realized that life we live once for all, is the greatest of them all….
We at ‘Barkur-on-line Team’ salute the giant patriarch Barkur joining our hands – as Personality of the Month - well done Mr. Shetty, we all proud of you. May Almighty bless you and your family abundantly and your businesses flourish to still greater heights to the length and breadth of India…. As most of us see the future of Barkurian youth in your far sighted projects, both commercial and educational, planned for Barkur and its surroundings…..in days, years to come………
On behalf of Barkur-on-line Team & ICYM Barkur Ex-Members Association,
P. Archibald Furtado, Muscat, - 29th November, 2008.