Manju was a show stopper at family events too: Cousin

Mangaluru: If India got its second Miss Supranational in Srinidhi Shetty, in a matter of three years after Asha Bhat, the nation owes it to the Karnad and Talipady Guttu household in Talipady village in Kinnigoli. ‘Manju’ as her family members fondly call her, has been a true go getter from her childhood days. The youngest of three children of Kushala and Ramesh Shetty, and Kushala R Shetty couple – elder siblings being Amrutha and Priya, she was the most active.
Dinesh Shetty, Kushala’s elder brother all praise for Ramesh’s resolve in bringing up his children after the demise of his wife in March 2007 said, “Manju had given clear indications that she was cut out for greater heights in life as a young child itself.” Srinidhi demonstrated this as a student at Narayanaguru English Medium School at Mulki and also as a student of St Aloysius PU College and later at Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain College in Bengaluru too, Dinesh adds.
Describing her as a studious girl, Dinesh says she was good in all activities. She did take keen interest in television shows on fashion and dance and always indicated she would like to be a model. She demonstrated her potential with her first major success when she was crowned Yamaha Fascino Miss Diva Supranational India 2016, Dinesh says adding it was Ramesh who took the decision to support Srinidhi’s desire to take her fashion career to newer heights.
Poornima, Srinidhi’s cousin, says she has been an inspiration to the family. Her kind-hearted nature and ability to mingle with people with ease is her greatest asset, avers Poornima. Her helpful nature, keenness to explain things she knew to others – young or old alike – is what sets her apart. “She was the show-stopper at family get-togethers and a live wire at even the in-house stage functions,” Poornima adds on this 24-year-old.
Pointing that Srinidhi did get movie offers while at college, Poornima says she was determined to make a mark in modelling. “The Miss Supranational Title is the icing on the cake,” Poornima says, adding she did watch Srinidhi’s Poland triumph on YouTube. With a penchant for dance, gym workouts and even yoga, Srinidhi is expected to make her future plans clear when she reaches Mumbai this month-end. “We expect her in January next,” she adds.