Rajesh Shetty: The man who lit up Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir

In a remarkable tale of resilience and determination, Rajesh Shetty, a proud Kannadiga, has transformed his life from being a job seeker to a successful entrepreneur, lighting up not only the corporate world but also the sacred precincts of Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir.

Rajesh, whose family traces its lineage to Mijar in Moodbidri Taluk of Dakshina Kannada, was born and raised in Bengaluru. His journey began amidst financial constraints. His father, a rarity in the family as a hotel worker, faced the challenge of guiding his son through a path of uncertainty after completing high school. Despite his interest in computer science and electronics, Rajesh could secure a seat in the civil engineering department at MEI Polytechnic. After pleading with the principal, he was transferred to the Electrical Department.

His early career took root at the ITI factory in Electronic City, where he undertook apprenticeship training. In 1997, he secured a technician position at Mascot Company in Mittal Tower. However, the turning point came when he was denied a role as an executive in the company by CN Abraham, the head of the organization.

Refusing to be discouraged, Rajesh persisted and was directed to bring a letterhead to secure the position. Faced with a dilemma, he used the letterhead of Shankar Motor and Winding Company, rebranded it as Shankar Electricals, and successfully landed a contract to maintain the electrical infrastructure of the Mascot Company.

Recognizing Rajesh’s work ethic and efficiency, Abraham took an unconventional decision. Instead of retaining him as an employee, he made Rajesh an entrepreneur by providing the first contract to Shankar Electricals. This marked the beginning of Rajesh’s journey as a businessman.

Established in 1998, Shankar Electricals has grown exponentially, with a presence in major cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai, and Mangaluru. Starting as a solo effort, Rajesh worked tirelessly for 10-12 hours a day to develop the organization. Today, Shankar Electricals employs over 2,500 people and boasts an annual turnover of Rs 500 crore.

The company, initially serving organizations like Sonata, Mascot, and Tata Eleksi, has expanded its reach to North India, contributing to the electrical infrastructure of Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir.

Rajesh Shetty, along with his elder brothers, adhered to conservative practices from their early years, engaging in weekly Thursday worship at their home. Given the significance of the Dakshina Kannada district as their birthplace, Rajesh took on the responsibility of organizing lighting arrangements for the Kateel Durgaparameshwari temple as a form of service. The abundance of job opportunities that followed was perceived as a divine blessing.

A pivotal moment in Rajesh’s life occurred during his visit to Mantralaya, where he was entrusted with illuminating the Math. Despite facing challenges with suppliers, Rajesh’s unwavering determination and devotion led him to successfully complete the task, earning the blessings of Sri Subudhendratheertha Swamiji.