Mangaluru: Bureaucrats have people under them to get their works done. It is very rare that we see officials who get down to doing work themselves. Meet Tahshildar of Belthangady taluk, Ganapathi Shastri. Instead of waiting for people to execute the work, he believes in doing it himself and this nature of the Tahsildar has won hearts.
A picture of Shastri carrying rice bags for flood victims has been making rounds. This image was clicked at Banjarumale of Belthangady taluk, a pocket which was one of the worst affected places in the district.
The Banjarumale bridge connects the village with the outside world, but during the recent floods, the bridge itself got washed away leaving people stranded in the village. A temporary wooden bridge was laid, on Wednesday, August 14. After the formation of this temporary bridge, measures were taken to distribute essential items for the residents of Banjarumale. Meanwhile, Shastri was in the forefront, carrying supplies including rice for the flood victims.
Prior to this incident, he was active in taking precautionary measures when the whole taluk was hit by heavy rains. He himself was involved in shifting people from flood-hit areas to safer locations. During the recently concluded Lok Sabha election also, Shastri was seen carrying ballot box to the strong room, without seeking any help from others.
Shastry had announced his resignation also
It can also be noted that he is the same Tahasildar who had offered to tender his resignation when Belthangady MLA Hareesh Poonja alleged that the government officials- from VAs to Tahshildars are demanding bribe to complete work of the people who come seeking help.
This incident had happened a couple of months ago at Deputy Commissioner’s office during the district level progress review meeting of the revenue department. While MLA Hareesh Poonja made this statement, Shastri had challenged him to prove his allegations.
‘I have done my duty and I don’t need any publicity’
When contacted, the Tahsildar told Newskarnataka.com that he is only performing his duty and that he is not doing this for publicity. “Since I nurture no political aspirations, I do not want publicity. Helping the victims of flood-hit areas was my duty and I have done only that. On the humanitarian ground, everyone should extend their helping hand towards flood-victims”, he said.
Shastri, who had served the Indian Navy for 15 years is winning hearts with his simplicity.
