Mangaluru: A chronic alcoholic, none respected him. All the efforts by his family members had gone in vain as he refused to live without alcohol. But, one fine day, he was taken to the 264th edition of de-addiction camp run by Shri Kshethra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP), held at Belman in Karkala taluk in the year 2008. After staying for only eight days in that camp, he decided to quit alcohol and lead a happy life.
It is the life story of Hareesh Shetty, a resident of Panjimogaru in Mangaluru. The 38-year-old Shetty is a painter by profession. He was addicted to alcohol during his college days. He was in an inebriated state round the clock and used to sleep in street. Though his family members tried their level best to de-addict him, they did not succeed initially. But, when they approached SKDRDP, they decided to enroll Shetty into the camp as their final effort.
The family members convinced Shetty claiming that they had chosen a bride for him and he should see her before finalising the alliance. They also requested Shetty not to consume alcohol at least for a day. Shetty consented for the same and agreed to go to Belman. As per the plan, Shetty’s family members succeeded in enrolling him to the de-addiction camp of SKDRDP. When Shetty come out from the camp, there was a tremendous change in his mind. He decided to give up alcohol for the lifetime. After a year, he got married and now he has two kids. Shetty is a busy person now as he has a lot of work to do. He is a big painting contractor at Panjimogaru and other surrounding areas. Those who refused to give him work once, now prefer Shetty only.
Posa Bolpu
Being a dignified person in the society, Shetty now wants to de-addict alcoholics. He has formed a group under the title of `Posa Bolpu` (new light), which comprises around 45 members, who are de-addicted from the alcohol through camps. They conduct meeting once in a month and also organise programmes to create awareness among the people about the demerits of alcohol.
Speaking to Newskarnataka, Harish Shetty said, “As SKDRDP and Dharmadhikari Dr. D Veerendra Heggade have given a new life to me, I am always grateful to them. One should not be addicted to alcohol as it kills our life. As we have a beautiful life, we should properly utilise it until our last breath”, he says.
Shetty conferred `Janajagruti Mitra` award
Shetty was awarded Janajagruti Mitra award during a programme organised by the Akhila Karnataka Janajagruti Vedike at Town Hall on Saturday, October 6. After receiving the award Shetty said, “I have received a new life through de-addiction camp. Now, I want to organise a de-addiction camp of my own in order to change the life of those who are wasting their life due to alcohol”, he says.
