Pics: Meryick D'Silva
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (CLP)

Mangaluru, Apr 26: Vishwa Konkani Kendra (World Konkani Centre) on Sunday April 26 organized a programme to pay homage to the late M Raghunath Shet, owner of city's famous S L Shet Jewellers and Diamond House who passed away on April 7.

The programme was organized jointly by Konkani Language and Cultural Foundation, World Konkani Centre and Konkani Basha Mandal, Mangaluru at the premises of World Konkani Centre, Shaktinagar here.

President of Vishwa Konkani Kendra Basti Vaman Shenoy welcomed the gathering and said, "M Raghunath Shet was a man who rendered great social service. His struggle and dedication to build the Vishwa Konkani Kendra can never be forgotten. We wanted to contribute to Konkani so we toiled day and night to make this dream a reality. We travelled not only to all parts of India but thoughout the world to meet Konkani people and raise funds for Vishwa Konkani Kendra. I am very happy to see well-wishers who have come here to pay homage to the great personality. Let us all pray for repose of M Raghunath Shet's soul."

Renowned Konkani poet Melvyn Rodrigues said, "I shared a bond with M Raghunath Shet for above 30 years. We met several times during Konkani programmes. He had a great passion towards collection of art. He beautified various temple deities. He was an ever-smiling person, an overflowing vessel of laughter. I still feel he is alive and his soul is living among us."

Hemacharya, editor-in-chief of Daijiworld Weekly said, "This world is temporary, some day all have to make the journey to heaven. I knew Raghunath Shet even before I went to the Gulf. He taught me values of life. Every Diwali he used to send sweets and during Christmas I used to send cake to his house. He did all social service works quietly and never expected anything in return. Let us all pray for the repose of the soul of M Raghunath Shet."

Addressing the gathering, Roy Castelino, president of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy said, "I knew Raghunath Shet for the past 30 years. Our bond became deeper when I met him during Mandd Sobhann events. He was my inspiration and a true soldier of Konkani. His death is huge loss for the Konkani world and the void is very hard to filled."

Kudpi Jagadish Shenoy, treasurer Vishwa Konkani Kendra and president of Besant Institutions said, "His dedication to build the Vishwa Konkani Kendra cannot be forgotten. There was always a glow in his face. He played a vital role in availing visa to USA for us (WKC) to meet the Konkani people over there. I am really happy to see the family is continuing the work. Let us all make the bond stonger and continue the work he began and pray for the soul of the late M Raghunath Shet."

Pradeep G Pai, managing director, Hangyo Ice Creams Pvt Ltd said, "He was a great person, he was a lively and positive man. He played a vital role in building the Vishwa Konkani Kendra. His death is a great loss to the entire Konkani family."

A potrait of Raghunath Shet was unveiled on the occasion.

Louis J Pinto, president of Mandd Sobhann, Prashanth Raghunath Shet, eleder son of M Raghunath Shet and many other Konkani personalities were present at the occasion.

Naresh R, secretary, Vishwa Konkani Kendra compered the programme.