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Halady Srinivas Shetty.
Nicknamed,
rather popularly known as ‘Vajpayee of Kundapur’, Halady
Srinivas Shetty is a born leader. Till the other day he was our
respected MLA. His leadership qualities were well known from his
school and college days. In these days of corrupted political
sphere, HSS is rare breed of assertive leader who will not
compromise on values, righteousness and self respect.
About some
four years back we wrote an article in Barkur-on-line pages, on
the eve of Assembly elections, titled ‘Its JP Hegde vs. HS
Shetty in Kundapur’ A man who scored over a personality like
J.P.Hegde by 19,000 plus popular votes, and romped home for the
consecutive third time, to be an MLA, definitely had something
unique, to his credit.
By virtue of
his records, he would have been a Minister long back; at least
once BJP formed its first Government in Karnataka. We the
Barkurians, come to know him in the recent past, since Barkur
was a part of erstwhile Brahammavar assembly constituency, till
2008, which got disappeared in the realignment process and got
distributed with the existing Udupi, Karkala, Byndoor and a
major part with present Kundapur. Only once I met him, rather
just shook hands with him during a small function at Kundapur,
with my brother-in-law, who was a College time friend of Mr.
Shetty. But astonished me was his simplicity, concern and
compassionate way of conversing the people those hardly bothered
to see whether the occasion was a right one to bring their
grievances to their leader’s notice! Amazing patience, going
deep to the problem and understanding the pulse of the suffering
were the great qualities in HSS.
To the best
we can understand, the only one leader in undivided South Kanara
who can mobilize thousands of committed people in a short notice
without spending a penny or hiring people….. He values human
relations with compassion and love. We need leaders like him who
values human relation, not money, religion, caste and creed.
HSS is a hero
in the eyes of every young heart, who values truthfulness in
life, he reached greater heights when he refused to continue as
an MLA when he felt not only he, but his electorate got
insulted. Never craved for positions either in the Party or in
the Government, it was the initiative of the higher-ups to offer
him Ministerial post considering his seniority, goodwill and
track record. Last moment change of mind by the vested interest
groups, hurt HSS and so to his followers, beyond their party
affiliations.
By the way it
is not our concern to discuss these issues here, but feel, we
missed the privilege to be represented by Minister in Halady
Srinivas Shetty, after J.P Hegde in 90’s, who was Minister for
Fisheries and Ports…..
There are
various hearsay stories as well as real incidents attributed to
HSS as a true leader more than that a social worker, a friend in
need…. He has spent his personal money, sold even his ancestral
properties to adjust money to spend during elections. His clean
and spotless image is an asset to any party he belongs to. A
practical man resolved many a family disputes in the locality,
saving the time and money otherwise spent on never ending court
cases. He was openly offered bribes but sent them back
disappointed.
Among other things, it was also a fact that, Govt. College at
Shankernarayana is his dream institution and contributed for the
progress of Sharada First Grade College, Basrur.
Today, no
doubt, he is swimming across the current, which is difficult and
tiresome. But the values he stood for is a ray of hope, politics
still not the field left to unworthy people. The more HSS come
out and do good to the needy ones, the more your heart will be
purified and Almighty’s power will be in them.
We the Barkur-on-line
team anxiously anticipating to portray Mr. Halady Srinivas
Shetty as its Personality of the Month, especially on his
elevation to be a Minister in the Karnataka Government this time
and our desire like thousands of his well wishers didn’t
materialized. To a man of his repute, definitely no position
hardly matter……!
Long way to
go Mr. Shetty and you will continue to lead from the front and
all right thinking, progress oriented people will be your
supporters both in public and much more of them in private.
With all
respects to a man of self respect and spotless image in public
life, a rare human being, who emphasized oneness of all
religion, in day today life, a politician wanted the political
authority to be based on moral considerations and principles, we
wish him all the very best in his future endeavors…………….
On behalf of Barkur-online
Team,
P. Archibald Furtado, Muscat – 23rd July,
2012. |
