Shirva: Dr. K. R. Venkatakrishna conferred with ‘Zilla Rajyotsava’ Prashasthi

By B. Pundalika Marathe
Bellevision Media Network

Shirva, 31 Oct 2012: The veteran doctor of Shirva, Dr. K.R. Venkatakrishna whose vision has been “Hospitals are temples and patients are gods’ has been honoured for his long standing contribution in health service of the common people by conferring on him District Rajyotsava Honour.

 

Once considered backward village, the District Board Hospital of Udupi had started an outreach centre at Shirva. In 1957, the young doctor from Kudigrama near Hiriadka, Dr. K. R. Venkatakrishna who had arrived at Shirva began to serve the people with dedication. Soon he won the confidence of the people by his dedicated service and convern to the welfare of the people.

 

 

As the number of outpatients increased, the space in the existing heath center became inadequate. Realizing the need to expand the facilities especially to the poor patients,  Dr. Venkatakrishna in association with the prominent persons of the village started  ‘Medical Relief Association’ in 1967. Through this association, Dr. Venkatakrishna expanded the facilities of the existing health center to include separate  wards for TB patients and a 12 bed ward for in patients. Besides, these facilities the credit for installing X Ray facilities in the Shirva hospital goes to Dr. Venkatakrishna.

 

For the inauguration of the newly expanded hospital Dr. Venkatakrishna was instrumental in inviting the then chief minister of Karnataka-S. Nijalingappa, Health Minister-Nagappa Alva, MP of the constituency-J.N. Lobo and MLA-F.X. D’Pinto.

 

In spite of poor transport facilities and bad roads, Dr. Venkatakrishna used to visit the patients in distress even during night time. In case the condition of the patients was serious, the doctor himself used to transport the patients to Manipal hospital. Even today, at the age of 87, Dr. Venkatakrishna responds to the needs of the patients and do not hesitate to do house visits of the patients in dire need.

 

Whenever there are any attempts to initiate any organization or business, people approach Dr. Venkatakrishna for his guidance and advice. His positive attitude and encouraging words have led to the establishment of many associations and organizations. He was responsible for the foundation of the  Shirva Recreation Club (1958). He was member of the Udupi Lions Club  from 1963 to 1970 and was instrumental in the establishment of the Rotary Club of Shirva in 1970 and served the club as the Founder Secretary and twice its president. Even today Dr. Venkatakrishna is an active member of the Rotary Club of Shirva. He has been also honoured as “Paul Harris Fellow” by Rotary International.

 

Dr. Venkatakrishna has been a member of other associations and organizations of Shirva as well. These include Shirva Sports Union, Shirva Jasmine Jaycees and Shirva Janajagruti Samithi. He has also served as the member of Honorary Advisory Committee of  Kasturba Medical College, Manipal and also IMA Udupi.

 

As the founder of the Shirva Medical Relief Trust and with the guidance of the then parish priest of Shirva Rev. Fr. Sylvester D’Souza, Dr. Venkatakrishna in association with Manipal Hospital organized weekly health check up camps continuously for 13 years.
Realizing the importance of education especially to the children of his native village Kudigrama, Dr. Venkatakrishna took lead in starting the Shri Vishnumoorthy High School. He had also donated 10 cents land for the construction of ‘Shirva Rotary Sabhabhavana’ at Bantakal B.C. Raod.

 

Dr. Venkatakrishna was born in Kudigrama on September 5, 1930 as the third among six children of Ramacharya and Vanajalakshmi . As Ramacharya was in hotel business in Virajpet and Madikeri of Kodagu District, the primary and secondary education of Dr. Venkatakrishna was in Virajpet and Madikeri and continued his intermediate education in Basavanagudi National College, Bangalore. He completed his medical education in Kilphak Medical College in Chennai. Later he served in Venlok and Lady Ghoshan Hospitals in Mangalore for two years and one year in a hospital at Shimla in Himachal Pradesh.

 

Dr. Venkatakrishna came to Shirva in 1957 and began giving service in the L.F. Hospital (Local Fund Hospital) which was an extension of the District Board Hospital, which was later converted into 12 bed hospital with his initiative which has been continued as the community health centre.

 

For his private practice, Dr. Venkatakrishna opened ‘Geetanjali Clinic’ in 1965 through which he serves the patients even today. He has rendered service to hospitals in Dubai, Abhudabi and Australia as guest doctor.

 

Dr. Venkatakrishna married Jayalakshmi in 1955  and has been blessed by four sons and one daughter. He lost his wife Jayalakshmi five years ago. Presently, his daughter, Dr. Geetanjali  helps him in running the dispensary.

 

In spite of advancing age, Dr. K.R. Venkatakrishna has maintained his good health. He practices yoga, meditation and pranayam daily. He has a passion for reading books and attends public functions. Thus, it is appropriate that such a great humanitarian doctor has been conferred with the “Zilla Rajyotsava Prashsthi” for the year 2012.