Mumbai: George Fernandes Memorial National Awarto “Metro Man” of India, Padmavibhushan Dr. E. Sreedharan. Konkan Railway is the dream of Late George Fernandes, Dr. E. Sreedharan made his dream come true, said Thonse Jayakrishna A. Shetty, founder of Jayashreekrishna Parisara Premi Samiti.
The Annual award function of Jayashreekrishna Parisara Premi Samiti, in memory of former Union Minister ‘Late George Fernandes Memorial National Award – 2024’ was held on 5th September, 2024 at Bantara Bhavan, Kurla East, Mumbai on 5th September, 2024 at Bantara Bhavan, Kurla East, Mumbai. During his speech Thonse Jayakrishna A Shetty spoke about the achievement of George Fernandes. Shetty requested everyone to support for renaming the Mangalore International nAirport after George Fernandes, who is recognized at the national and international level. He said in modernizing the Indian Railway which is the lifeline of the country and making the Konkan railway line a success Dr. E. Sreedharan's immense contribution is there along with Dr. George Fernandes.The present and former presidents and office bearers of the committee have contributed lot to the success of all the achievements of the committee since last 25 years.
President of the committee L. V. Amin said that during the last 25 years we have held several programmers but today's program is unforgettable. Today only we came to know about the history behind the Konkan Railway and the high speed track. For the past 25 years, Jayashreekrishna Parisara Premi Samiti has successfully worked for the development of the Udupi and D K districts and implemented several projects. For the past three years, large space has been reserved for setting up Industries in the district. Our districts are now became city from villages. So there is a need for modern cemetery in these districts. The committee has not backed down its continuous struggle for the development of the districts. He said the Silver Jubilee of the committee will be celebrated in grand.
All dignitaries who were present on the stage were felicitated "Metro Man" of India Dr. Padmavibhushan Dr. E. Sreedharan with George Fernandes Memorial National Award - 2024 with great respect. His wife Radha Shreedharan was honored by Sudha Amin and other dignitaries. The vice president of the committee, Hiriyadka Mohandas, gave the congratulatory speech.
With Ranjani R. ‘s prayer, the dignitaries lit the lamp and started the program. Committee Vice President Nithyananda D. Kotian presented a brief report of Jayashreekrishna Parisara Premi Samiti.
Mangalore MP Captain Brijesh Chowta, Organic Industries Limited's C. M. D. Tonse Anand M. Shetty, former MP of Mumbai Gopal Shetty, former minister of Karnataka Narayan Gowda who were represented, were introduced by spokesperson of the Samiti, Dayasagar Chauta, Adv. Shashidhar Kapu and Dr.Surendrakumar Hegde.
President of Bunts Sangh Mumbai, Praveen Bhoja Shetty, BSKB Association President Dr. Suresh S. Rao, Billavara Association, Mumbai, President Harish G. Amin, World Devadiga Maha Mandal President Dharmapal Devadiga and others were present.
Hon. General Secretary of the Committee Mundkur Surendra Salian, District President D.R. Raju, Vice President P. Dhananjaya Shetty, CA. IR Shetty, Chandrasekhara R. Belchada, K. L. Bangera, Dr. RK Shetty, Ny. R. M. Bhandari, Girish B. Salian, Jitendra Gowda, Govt. Secretaries Ravi S. Devadiga, Harry Sequira and Devdas Kulal, Govt. Treasurer Tulsidas L. Amin, Co-Treasurers Sadananda Acharya and Tonse Sanjiva Pujari, former presidents Harish Kumar Shetty, District Vice Presidents Jagdish Adhikari, Ramachandra Bikampady, Joint Secretary, Surendra Mendon, Shekhar Gujjarabettu, Members Dr. Prabhakara Shetty Bola, M. N. Karkera, Karunakara Hejamadi, Balakrishna Bhandary, Vasu S. Devadiga, , Dr. Tonse Vijayakumar Shetty, Ramananda Rao, Ramachandra Ganiga, Uttam Shettigar, Srinivasa Safalya, Chitrapu K.M. Kotyan, Rakesh Bhandari, Jayaprakash Kamath, C.S. Ganesh S. Shetty etc. were present. Leaders of various community organizations in the City were present in the ceremony. Hon. Secretary Devdas Kulal delivered the vote of thanks.
Dr. E. Sreedharan speaking "Padmavibhushan Dr. E. Sreedharan after accepting George Fernandes Memorial National Award - 2024 said that I have happily accepted this award given in the name of late George Fernandes. 840 km long, with 93 tunnels and 157 high-level bridges, the country's first high-speed Konkan Railway is indeed a gift of George Fernandes. Being in close contact with George Fernandes, I was successful in completing this project in just seven years, whish is also due to George Fernandes's encouragement, said 93-year-old Padmavibhushan Dr. E. Sreedharan. He said due to Konkan Railway, Kerala is also very much benefited. I was given this opportunity by George Fernandes. Konkan Railway was the dream of George Fernandes and his dream came true. He said, "I am grateful to all of the members of Jayashreekrishna Parisara Premi Samiti and special thanks to its founder Jayakrishna A. Shetty for honoring me today with award in the name of George Fernandes and also honoring my wife."
Captain Brijesh Chowta, Member of Parliament from Mangalore said "Today I had other program in the district. Since it is a memorial program of George Fernandes, I have left all that aside. This is an important program. I am inspired by George Fernandes. We have named a road after George Fernandes in Mangalore. I am fortunate to have studied in there college where he also studied. It is meaningful that George Fernandes memorial award is given to the person who has kept his dream alive. To modernize and to make high-speed Mangalore-Bangalore railway line I will visit Dr. E Shreedharan's house in Palakkad and discuss about this."
Praveen Bhoja Shetty, President - Bunts Association Mumbai speaking "93 years old “Metro Man" of India Padmavibhushan Dr. E. Sreedharan and George Fernandes born in the month of June. Let us celebrate his 100th birth day in 2032 here. So Dr. E Sreedharan will be invited here once again and will conduct the program under the title “Metro Man" of India crossing 100. Dr. E Shreedharan is a hero not only for the country but for the entire Asia. Wish him all the best."
By Ishwar M. Ail
Pics. Dinesh Kulal / Bhaskar Kanchan