Ramesh Shetty and Bhaskar Shetty,of Sri Sai Baba Pooja Samiti in Kalaghoda,have been helping the needy for 40 years now For the past 40 years,Ramesh Shetty and Bhaskar Shetty who own a tea stall and a vada pav stall have been quietly helping the needy as part of the Sri Sai Baba Pooja Samiti,outside the Civil and Sessions Court,Kalaghoda. The samiti members have been providing medical aid and scholarships besides feeding the poor once a year duing Diwali,from funds they collect by sharing a part of their income and from generous donors at the small Sai temple outside the court. Samiti general secretary KH Karkera who teaches economics at a suburban college says,It was formed in 1970 by a group of well-educated youngsters residing at Esplanade Mansion,for promoting the spiritual welfare of people,especially those from the downtrodden sections of society. It used to perform an annual Sai pooja on the auspicious day of Diwali,but later realised that the best way to worship the Almighty is through social work; by working towards the uplift of the less fortunate ones in society. The samiti has been providing free scholarships to students who had to leave education for monetary reasons,and encouraging them to study in the BMC schools. It had also been organising blood donation camps,donating school bags and giving medical aid to anyone in need. It can be anyone,of any caste,who knocks on our doors; they never return empty-handed; we ensure that some help is provided. Ramesh had been a waiter in the court canteen earlier. Helping the needy gives you an inner satisfaction. Over the years,the blessings of those helped and Sai Baba has helped me rise in society, he says. Almost all members of the samiti have come up in life the hard way,from nothing. Bhaskar says,Its very clear to me that help given without any expectations in return comes back to you in some form or other. The Samiti feeds over 1,500 people annually under its annadan scheme,during Diwali,and VIPs,be it Union ministers or high court judges,preside over the event.
