KARWAR: Bangalore University has conferred honorary doctorate degrees on Justice SR Nayak, Chairman of State Human Rights Commission and also on RN Shetty, an industrialist, both from Uttara Kannada district on Thursday.
Born in a poor agriculture family at Nadumaskeri village in Kumta taluk in 1945, Justice SR Nayak rose to the present status was a saga by itself. He worked as a hotel boy even at Hubli to pursue his education.
Later with the help of late Sa Pa Gaonkar and late SV Pikle, two freedom fighters of Ankola, he continued his education at Dandeli and later in Mysore.
He did his bachelor degree and Masters in Law from Bangalore University on learning while earning basis.
He was a practicing high court lawyer in Bangalore for 20 years from 1974 till he was appointed as judge of Karnataka High Court.
He had also worked as judge of Andhra Pradesh High Court, before becoming acting Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court for a brief period. He was the Chief Justice of Chattisghad High Court also before his retirement. Soon after his retirement, he was appointed the Chairman of State Human Rights’ Commissiom.
Among many prestigious awards he was conferred with, Nadoja award given by Hampi Kannada university is prominent.
Despite his controversial nomination for the honorary doctorate award, it cannot be denied that RN Shetty has made immense contribution to tourism development in Uttara Kannada distict and particularly at Murdeshwar. A number of educational institutions and hospitals, he established in different parts of the state stand as testimony to his commitment to social cause.