KMC Cancer Patients get Rs 37 Lacs Aid from Dr G Shankar

KMC Cancer Patients get Rs 37 Lacs Aid from Dr G Shankar

Mangaluru: “If money help 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 , 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 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 61st Birthday (on 5th October) instead of receiving a bunch of birthday gifts Dr Shankar gave away nearly Rs 38 lakhs as gift to 170 Cancer Patients and 50 Kidney disease patients at Kasturba Medical College hospital-Attavar here.

Distribution of cheques amounting to nearly Rs 38 laks was distributed to 220 cancer and kidney disease patients during a programme held at Sushrutha Hall KMC Hospital Attavar on Tuesday, 4 October at 10 am. The programme began with invoking God’s blessing through a prayer song, followed by welcome address by Dr MV Prabhu-Dean of KMC. Dr Surendra V Shetty- Pro-Vice Chancellor of Manipal University under Mangaluru University briefed about Dr Shankar’s project and his service to the community. The programme was inaugurated by lighting the lamp by Chief guest Nadoja Dr G Shankar and his wife Mrs Shalini, along with other dignitaries on the dais namely Dr Anand Venugopal-Medical Superintendent-KMC Hospitals-Mangaluru; Dr MV Prabhu; Dr Surendra V Shetty; Dr Dinesh Pai Kasturi -Professor and In-charge Head at the Department of Radio Therapy and Oncology at KMC Mangaluru; and Dr. Krishna Prasad, Medical Oncologist, KMC Hospital, Mangaluru.

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 60th 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 61st birthday I decided to donate nearly Rs 37 lacs towards medical expenses of 220 poor cancer and kidney disease afflicted patients here at KMC Attavar. I make these contributions in memory of my beloved mother who was also diagnosed with cancer. One thing these days, people should be afraid of cancer-unlike decades ago there were no advanced technology and medicines to treat cancer patients, and 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. My humble request to the management of KMC hospital-Attavar is that they should launch a Kidney Dialysis Unit here, and I am ready to bear half the expenses of the Unit. KMC-Manipal had played a important role in the formation of my Trust, for which I am very grateful”.

A bevy of cancer and kidney disease patients were called on to the dais to accept their medical expenses cheques from Dr G Shankar and his wife, and also from other dignitaries on the dais- while the rest of them received their cheques from Anand-the brother-in-law of Dr G Shankar and Shanker Salian- Finance in-charge of the Trust. Vote of thanks was proposed by Jayaram S of KMC Marketing Dept. 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.The most terrible poverty is loneliness, and the feeling of being unloved. 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 Turst were limited only to Udupi district and now it has been extended to Dakshina Kannada, Chikmaglur, Uttara Kannada, Shivamogga, Davanagere and Bijapura distrcits. The Trust proposes to extend its services to many more districts in the days to come.

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 inherit zeal and urge to be self reliant. He moved to Bijapur to find his fortune, where by 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 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 series of programs that would go to ameliorate the poor and the needy.