Udupi (Karnataka): This month, under Dr H S Shetty, Heggunje Rajeeva Shetty Charitable Trust, based in Bengaluru, brought to fruition the project of building 14 free houses for the abjectly poor Koraga families at Hardalli Mandalli Gram Panchayat in Karnataka’s Udupi district.

Of the 14 houses, 10 are in Jannadi Koragar Colony, near BidkalKatte, and four are in Manigeri. The average cost of each house having a two-bedroom hall kitchen and a bathroom equipped with a water tank within 605 square feet was around Rs 14 lakh.

The housing initiative was inaugurated with a Bhoomi Puja performed by Sri Vishwaprasannatheertha Swamiji of Pejavara Math in March this year and completed on schedule. The active participation of the community, including the Gruha Puja and Lokarpana conducted by Sri Sri Vishwaprasanna Theertha Swamiji of Pejavara Math, the key handover by Kota Srinivasa Pujari, and the dedication by K H Muniyappa, Karnataka’s Minister for Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs, underscores the shared responsibility in this humanitarian project.

Who are the Koragas, and what is their plight

The Koragas, belonging to a primitive tribal community, are the most backward in society. They have been the sons of the soil for generations, over one and a half centuries. Their abject backwardness has compelled the entrepreneur, Dr H S Shetty, known for his many benevolent activities, to shelter them.

Once a robust community of more than 50,000 people spread across Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts, their population has dwindled to less than 7,000 today due to high mortality rates, low birth rates, and genetic disorders. This drastic decline in their numbers underscores the urgent need for support and intervention.

Social stigma has compounded their struggles; despite being Hindus, they were labelled untouchables by the upper classes until three decades ago, allowed to eat only leftovers and even resorting to eating dead cattle due to lack of food. Although classified as Scheduled Tribes (ST), the Koragas have not benefited from reservations, failing to secure a single government job since independence. Their lack of education and awareness has prevented them from competing for resources and opportunities within the broader ST category. If their plight continues unchecked, the community faces the threat of extinction within the next 30 years. “My effort is to save them, represent them, and fight for their rights,” says Dr. H S Shetty.

Dr H S Shetty, the founder, chairman, and managing director of Bengaluru-based Mysore Mercantile Company Ltd., has received multiple state and central government awards.

The doctor has been a frequent visitor to the Koraga communities, engaging deeply with their struggles and aspirations. “I interact closely with them as a frequent visitor to this backward region. I have been convinced that they also deserve the fundamental necessity of a safe shelter in their life. Only charitable minds can help them escape their homelessness,” says Dr. Shetty.

Recognising their inability to afford permanent housing, he took up their cause, ensuring they could live with dignity in a stable home. “Today, after building 14 beautiful houses for the Koraga families, I am happy that I have done something for the deserving society. I will continue to serve them with the best means I can,” he adds.

Looking ahead, Dr. Shetty has set his sights on a larger goal-to build 100 houses for the Koraga community. The completion of the 14-house project, marked by a housewarming ceremony on November 17, 2024, is just the beginning of Dr. Shetty’s long-term commitment to the community.