A doctor by profession for 37 years now, Dr. Venkatesh Hegde is well-known for his proficiency in the medical practice.
For Dr. Hegde, healthy life is a perfect amalgamation of good physical, mental as well as spiritual well-being. It is perhaps this belief in holistic health that attracted him towards Art of Living. For 18 years now, he has been teaching people the art of good and healthy living as a teacher of various Art of Living courses. Participants have testified that the stress management courses conducted by him have brought phenomenally beneficial results changing the trajectory of their lives. In a world increasingly grappling with bottleneck pressures of various kinds, the myriad courses conducted by Dr. Hegde under the aegis of Art of Living, have helped people in internalizing a healthy lifestyle; this lifestyle not only includes the practice of yoga and other stress-management techniques but also an active involvement in social service. In fact, the courses of Art of Living have reinforced and strengthened the work which Dr. Hegde constantly undertakes toward social welfare. The landmark ones among these have been the de-addiction camps, health workshops for professionals in various fields, rallies for prevention of suicide, interactive sessions in social and educational institutions and stress-management programmes held for more than 1500 prisoners.
This untiring commitment to social good has made him a member of several nodal panels. He is presently the Chairman of Hospicio Hospital Visiting Committee, Margao and an advance course teacher in Art of Living.
Despite living an itinerary packed with professional and social commitments, Dr. Hegde has carved a noteworthy niche for himself in the cultural field too. A distinguished playwright as well as actor, he has featured in more than 200 shows in Goa as well as outside with a coterie of eminent artists such as Ramdas Kamat, Bhiku Pai Angle, Nayana Apte and Jayant Sawarkar. He has also acted in three T.V. serials receiving popular acclaim for his performances. He has also worked as the President of Sarvajanik Ganapati Utsav Pimpal katta Margao Dindi Committee and Gomant Vidya Niketan cultural wing.
An avid reader, Dr. Hegde can often surprise even hardcore literati with his knowledge of books across the spectra of literature. Poetry, he says, comes to him naturally. Almost like devotion. If poetry is a manifestation of his spirit, singing is an embodiment of his soul. It's something he treasures and nurtures. His poems often become songs unfolding their magic in the hearts of listeners. They form a conduit by means of which he expresses his infinite love for all aspects of life - life in all its myriad trials and triumphs. This innate art which he possess has not only won him the acclaim of many admirers but also brought him the state award for best singer in 1999. Two of his books and a C.D. of bhajans were also released by Art of Living.
In his exemplary endeavours he is supported relentlessly by his wife, Sangeeta Hegde. Today, Dr. Hegde stands on the threshold of a landmark year in his life; he stands in the midst of several felicitations and good wishes; in the centre of the love and admiration of many who look up to him for inspiration.
