Shri Gangadhar Shetti

Shri Gangadhar Shetti’s life is a typical rags to riches story. Born in a poor family in Badageri, Ankola, on 14th April 1930, young Gangadhar could only complete grade 2 of his primary education. Along with helping his mother to sell vegetables grown in their home orchard, he used to set up makeshift sweetmeat (Khaji, Mithai, etc.) shops during the annual Bandi Habba festivals at various places in around Ankola. Having lost his father at the age of 14, the entire responsibility of keeping his family (mother, two brothers and three sisters) together fell on his young shoulders.

As was the norm for poor youth in those days, he went off to work in a hotel at Goa, named “Bharat Café”, which belonged to a fellow community member. After working there for two years, he migrated to Hubli to work in Shree Mahalasa Hotel run by Todurkar family. Having done all kinds of work in the hotel right from cleaning tables to later serving as Manager, Shri Gangadhar developed a deep and ardent desire to own a hotel of his own. On 12-08-1954, he could manage to buy a tiny hotel at Broadway, Hubli, which he renamed as Shree Mahalasa Hotel after his family deity. With the blessings of his Kuladevata, there was no looking back since. His wife was a strong pillar of support to him. In 1967, he constructed Arun Lodge on a patch of leased land. In 1968, he purchased Hotel Vasant. In 1973, he opened two paint shops – Shree Bharati Trading Company and Shree Bharati Colours. He also started Shri Bharati Tea Centre around the same time. 1975 saw him venturing into the printing business. He established the Janata Printing Press, which printed and published the famous SSC Mitra for many years. In 1983, he started Janata Book Centre. On 29-01-1993, he rebuilt his old Hotel Vasant and transformed it into Hotel Chalukya, a 4-storeyed modern building with boarding, lodging and restaurant facilities. This Midas touch was nothing but sheer hard work, strong business acumen and a dedicated effort to rise above the poverty-stricken circumstances he was born into. Around this time, his four sons were old enough to support him in his endeavours. His family also consists of two daughters and many grandchildren.

Another instance brings to fore his legal knowledge acquired over the years. Long ago, there used to be six tenants who had illegally occupied the land on which the present Uttar Kannada Vaishya Samaja Bhavana (at Hubli) now stands. After a 16-year long Court battle, Shri Gangadhar Shetti was finally able to acquire the holding rights to the land. He was at the forefront in the construction of a grand community building for the Kannada Vaishya Samaja. The largest donation towards this building flowed from the hands of Shri Gangadhar Shetti. In 1998, he also donated Rs. One lakh to the corpus fund for Annadana seva. He has served in various capacities in the Kannada Vaishya Samaja organization at Hubli. He has also rendered assistance and provided leadership in constructing a building dedicated to the Samaja near Shree Mahalasa Devasthana, Mardhol, Goa.

The tough exterior that he exhibited to people hid a softhearted soul. Though he could not pursue his education any further, he helped and enthused many to achieve academic success and improve earning potential. He is revered as an Annadata by hundreds of workers who have served under him. A muslim youth, Mr. Abeed Mulla, who worked in his hotel was encouraged by Shri Gangadhar to complete his B.A. & B.Ed. degree. He now serves as Headmaster of a School. Another motivated worker, Mr. Siddharaj Kalyankar, now works as an actor in TV serials and films.

The Kannada Vaishya Vijaya Ratna award was conferred upon him at his Hubli residence in recognition of his dedication, determination and strong enterprising spirit, which he had kept alive in himself and passed on to scores of people who have been inspired by him. The community has lost one of its main stalwarts by his untimely demise on 26th Sept. 2020.