Good Samaritan Dr G Shankar on his B-Day Gifts Rs 45 lakh to Fr Muller Cancer & Kidney Disease Patients
Mangaluru: “If money helps a man to do good to others, it is of some value; but if not, it is simply a mass of evil, and the sooner it is got rid of, the better. The more we come out and do good to others, the more our hearts will be purified, and God will be in them.” -these words by Swami Vivekananda befits Nadoja Dr G Shankar of Udupi- truly a God sent man, a Good Samaritan, a humane person and a humble servant of society with sincere concern for the needy and the downtrodden, the poor and the marginalized, the backward and the oppressed.
With a view extending continuous and systematic support to such people Nadoja Dr G Shankar and his family under ‘G. Shankar Family Trust’ established in 2002 have engaged in realizing his dream of ushering in a better society free from pain and poverty. Since its inception the Trust has been conducting series of programs that would go to ameliorate the poor and the needy. And today, on the occasion of Dr G Shankar’s 63rd Birthday (which is tomorrow- 5th October) instead of receiving a bunch of birthday gifts Dr Shankar gave away nearly Rs 45 lakhs 50 thousand worth of Demand Drafts as gifts to 95 Cancer Patients and 60 Kidney (Dialysis) disease patients at Father Muller Medical College Hospital. This is the First time that Dr Shankar gave the donation to Father Muller Hospital patients.
Distribution of Demand Drafts amounting to nearly Rs 45 lakhs equally distributed among the 155 cancer and kidney disease patients during a programme held at Hospital Conference Hall on Thursday 4 October at 4.30 pm. The programme began with invoking God’s blessing through a prayer song, followed by welcome address by David Sequeira- the PRO at the Hospital, who also compered the programme. Seated on the dais along with Nadoja Dr G Shankar were Fr Ajith Menezes- Administrator of Father Muller Medical college; Dr Udayakumar- Medical Superintendent and Sr Janet D’souza-Chief Nursing Officer.
Addressing the gathering Dr G Shankar said, ” Sharing part of my wealth with the needy folks is my motto and I will continue doing it till I am able to. Last year on my 62nd birthday I donated over Rs 2 crore to various hospitals in Udupi and DK districts to help pay medical expenses of poor patients. This year while I am celebrating my 63rd birthday (tomorrow) I will also be donating over Rs two crore to cancer and kidney disease patients in Udupi and Mangaluru. And for the first time, I have come to donate Rs 45 lakhs to the patients here at Father Muller Hospital. I have great respect for the Catholic missionaries who promote education and Health Care to the society. I make these contributions in memory of my beloved mother who was also diagnosed with cancer”.
He further said, “One thing these days, people should not be afraid of cancer-unlike decades ago there were no advanced technology and medicines to treat cancer patients, and the survival rate was low-but nowadays with sophisticated technology and advanced medicine, and also professional doctors, persons afflicted with cancer can live a longer life. Today I am here among you all patients in order to give you strength and support during your ailing time. Take courage, and trust in God, and don’t worry too much about your diseases. Anyone can get a disease in no time or anyone can die unexpectedly. Our lives are in the hands of God. You are all safe under God’s care, and also under the care of doctors and nurses at Father Muller Hospital. I will support this hospital who are taking care of the patients with their motto ‘Heal and Comfort’ in the future too”.
A bevy of cancer and kidney disease patients were called on to the dais to accept their medical expenses DD’s from Dr G Shankar, and also from other dignitaries on the dais- while the rest of them received their DDs from the hospital staff at their respective departments. Fr Ajith Menezes speaking on the occasion said, “Today is the Feast of St Francis of Assisi, where Francis’ devotion to God was expressed through his love for all of God’s creation. St. Francis cared for the poor and sick, he preached sermons to animals and praised all creatures as brothers and sisters under God. So what a coincidence that a humble person like Dr G Shanker had picked an appropriate day to help cancer and kidney dialysis patients here at our hospital. We appreciate the kind gesture of Dr Shanker who has come forward to share part of his wealth among the needy patients and are extremely grateful for his generosity. We pray for his good health and prosperity”.
Dr Rohan Gatty- Head of Surgical Oncology at Father Muller’s also spoke about the good humanitarian service done by Dr Shankar and urged the patients to appreciate the kind gesture of Dr Shankar, and also the doctors and nurses who take good care of them at the hospital. The vote of thanks was delivered by Dr Manjunath-professor in Kidney Dialysis department. On the occasion, the audience joined in singing the Happy Birthday song to Dr Shankar, who will step into his 63rd life on this earth. This financial support from Dr G Shankar did put a smile on these poor patients, and also made a big difference in their lives. Thanks to Dr G Shankar and his Trust for caring and serving the needy in the society.
In conclusion, wouldn’t be nice if others also who are financially sound also follow in the footsteps of Dr G Shankar and start giving to the needy and make a difference in the community. The joy of being able to bless and give someone you love and care, and to make them smile, is priceless. The satisfaction that comes from making a difference in the lives of others cannot be overstated. Knowing that you have helped make someone else’s life a little brighter and better is a special feeling, and one that will last with you for a long time. And in our world of plenty, we can spread a smile of joy. So if you are looking for a way to enhance your act of sharing and giving experience, try giving back now. Let’s give to the less fortunate, hospitals where poor people are treated, ashrams, non-profit organizations, needy families and children, and others a feeling of hope, and make a difference in their lives.
Let me end this column with a quote from Mother (Saint) Teresa –“If you judge people, you have no time to love them. Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love. If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other. God doesn’t require us to succeed, he only requires that you try. It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving. At the end of life, we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by “I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless, and you took me in. I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things. A life not lived for others is not a life. Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person. Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”
About G Shankar Family Trust:
G. Shankar Family Trust was founded by Dr. G. Shankar. It got registered on 22nd June 2002. It has several meaningful objectives. Helping the socially backward people to overcome their difficulties, helping the deserving poor students to continue their education, providing financial help to the people who are ill and not in a condition to get good treatment are some of them.
From the date of the establishment of the Trust till today, crores of rupees have been given away to facilitate needy people. In the beginning, the activities of Trust were limited only to Udupi district and now it has been extended to Dakshina Kannada, Chikkamagaluru, Uttara Kannada, Shivamogga, Davanagere and Bijapur districts. The Trust proposes to extend its services to many more districts in the days to come.
“Nadoja” Dr G Shankar
G. Shankar was born on 5th October 1955 on a poor and backward family of Mogaveera in Gundmi Village of Udupi District. His parents are late Soma Bangera and Lakshmi Bangera. Acute poverty forced him to leave his native village on completion of his primary education. He had an inherit zeal and urge to be self-reliant. He moved to Bijapur to find his fortune, whereby his initiative he could get a degree. With that background, he chose an independent avocation of a civil contractor. Sheer hard work coupled with sincerity and single-minded devotion he came up in life step by step.
Very soon he earned the reputation of being a trustworthy contractor who could shoulder great responsibilities and fulfill hard challenges. His capacity to turn out quality work earned him rich dividends. He was soon recognized as an important contractor of the state. Bigger projects came begging his way and that, in turn, made him a very successful businessman both professionally and financially. Dr G Shankar has bagged doctorate and received awards including Rajyotsava Award. While Mangalore University conferred the doctorate on him, Hampi University had given him the prestigious ‘Nadoja’ award., for his dedication, enterprise and meritorious service to the society.
The transformation of the humble Mogaveera boy of a remote village into a renowned and well to do contractor of the state did not turn Mr G Shankar’s Head. He continued to be the same humble servant of society with sincere concern for the needy and the downtrodden, the poor and the marginalized, the backward and the oppressed. With a view extending continuous and systematic support to such people, he established ‘G. Shankar Family Trust’ in 2002. Now his entire family is engaged in realizing his dream of ushering in a better society free from pain and poverty. The Trust has been conducting a series of programs that would go to ameliorate the poor and the needy.
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Nadoja Dr G Shankar Distributes Rs 78 Lakhs Medical Aid to Cancer and Kidney Patients at KMC