Udupi: Renowned as the ‘costume man,’ Ravi Katapadi is once again stepping into the spotlight to assist a child in need during the Krishna Janmashtami festival in Udupi on September 6 and 7. For the past eight years, Ravi Katapadi has donned a variety of costumes to raise funds from the community to aid critically ill children. Over this period, he has made a remarkable contribution of Rs 1.13 Crore to support 113 ailing children in receiving the essential medical treatment they require.
This year, Ravi Katapadi has identified a two-year-old girl from Kundapur who is battling a cardiac ailment. The child is presently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Mangaluru. Ravi is wholeheartedly committed to contributing the funds he collects to support the treatment of this young child.
In 2020, Ravi Katpady joined forces with Pabiben Rabari, a master artisan from Gujarat, and together, they triumphed in winning Rs. 25 Lakh in a special episode of ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ (KBC) titled ‘Karamveer.’ Ravi chose to donate the entire sum of Rs. 25 Lakh towards the medical treatment of ailing children in the region.
In a conversation with reporters, the 41-year-old Ravi Katapadi shared his plans for the forthcoming mission. He intends to visit areas such as Udyavara, Udupi, and Malpe, where people have generously contributed to this noble cause in the past. Ravi mentioned that contributions have poured in not only from this region but also from distant places like Dubai, Muscat, and Mumbai. This time, Ravi and his team won’t carry a donation box; instead, those willing to contribute can approach him directly to make their donations. The team has dedicated the last month to preparing an eye-catching costume for Ravi’s fundraising efforts.
Ravi Katapadi, a centring worker, will be adorning the costume for the ninth consecutive year, all in the service of supporting ailing children. Mahesh Shenoy, an adviser to the Ravi Friends’ Katapady group, emphasised that Ravi’s intentions are noble, which is why numerous individuals wholeheartedly step forward to make generous contributions.