Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (EP)

Udupi, Mar 28: If you happen to see a lone man walking along the road with the Tricolour in his hand, pride in his gait and head held high, you have most probably come across Jayaprakash Shetty of Kadekar here.

Forty-three-year-old Jayaprakash Shetty is doing the unthinkable. In a mission aimed at infusing patriotic spirit across the Konkan coast, Jayaprakash has undertaken an ardous journey on foot with the National Flag in his hands.

And it's no small journey. Having started from Kadekar on March 25, Jayaprakash will walk all the way till Mumbai.

Son of Kadekar residents Sadashiva and Leelavati, Jayaprakashe is employed in a BPO company Intel Global Services in Mumbai.

Though the intention of his walk is to display his love for the country and create awareness on patriotism among people, it was, strange enough, a Russian party in Goa that inspired him.

The story goes like this. Jayaprakash had gone to Goa once and attended a Russian party. The national anthem of Russia was played at the end of the party. Russians stood when the anthem was sung but Jayaprakash remained seated. Meanwhile, a Russian citizen came to him and requested him to stand as the national anthem was being sung. Jayaprakash who was stunned, stood and paid his respects. The incident made Jayaprakash think about his own country.

"I asked myself why we do not show similar respect to our own country the way the Russians do despite being abroad. I decided to do something about it," he says.

"There are several multi-national companies in our country where several lacs of Indians are employed. Why are these companies not declaring holidays on Indian Independence Day and Republic Day? These thoughts made me ponder," he adds.

Diwaker Kunder and Taranath Suvarna handed over the flag to him to symbolically inaugurate the walk. Paryaya Sri Vishwateertha Swamiji handed over Rs 1,000 and blessed him.

Jayaprakash intends to cover a distance of 50 kilometres per day and reach Borivli, Mumbai on April 14. He will be walking through Goa, Ratnagiri, Panvel and Thane.

Here's wishing Jayaprakash Shetty all success in his patriotic mission.