Scholarships worth Rs 9 lakh distributed among 235 students

August 28, 2011

Mangalore, August 28: Former Union Minister B Janardhana Poojary called upon the Billava community to completely shun the inhuman attitude of boycotting widows for rituals and auspicious occasions.

Speaking at the scholarship distribution programme organised by Billavas Dubai and Northern Emirates (BDNE) at Shri Adhyaksha Koragappa Memorial Hall, Shri Gokarnanatha Kshetra's Kudroli Temple Complex here on Sunday, Mr Poojary said widows deserve respect from all.

He said educating and respecting women and staying away from blind beliefs are the two important ways for the development of any downtrodden community.

Recalling the contributions of social reformer Sri Narayana Guru for the upliftment of backward communities, he said that the former had left behind a message and an example to all downtrodden people.

“The life and messages of Narayana Guru still inspires people to live in peace and maintain brotherhood,” he added.

Jaya C Suvarna, President of Billawa Maha Mandala, said that the concern shown by the non-resident Indians needs appreciation. “They have contributed a part of their earnings for the upliftment of the community brethren,” he said.

On the occasion, scholarships worth Rs 9.14 lakh were distributed among deserving students. A total of 235 students belonging to various courses including MBBS, BHMS, BAMS, BE, CA, MA, Diploma Engineering, graduation courses, ITI, Nursing, SSLC and PUC were among the beneficiaries.

Of them 220 students were presented with scholarships, seven students were conferred with talent awards. And a sum of Rs 1, 85,000 was also distributed for medical treatment of the eight students suffering from various ailments.

H S Sairam, President of Shri Kshetra Kudroli, Vasudeva Kotian, Chairman of Bharat Co-operative Bank, Mumbai and Krishnappa Poojary, Principal of Narayana Guru Pre-university College were present among others.

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Mangaluru’s KPT becomes India’s first autonomous govt polytechnic

News Network

January 23,2026

Mangaluru: The Karnataka Government Polytechnic (KPT), Mangaluru, has achieved autonomous status from the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), becoming the first government polytechnic in the country to receive such recognition in its 78-year history. The status was granted by AICTE, New Delhi, and subsequently approved by the Karnataka Board of Technical Education in October last year.

Officials said the autonomy was conferred a few months ago. Until recently, AICTE extended autonomous status only to engineering colleges, excluding diploma institutions. However, with a renewed national focus on skill development, several government polytechnics across India have now been granted autonomy.

KPT, the second-largest polytechnic in Karnataka, was established in 1946 with four branches and has since expanded to offer eight diploma programmes, including computer science and polymer technology. The institution is spread across a 19-acre campus.

Ravindra M Keni, the first dean of the institution, told The Times of India that AICTE had proposed autonomous status for polytechnic institutions that are over 25 years old. “Many colleges applied. In the first round, 100 institutions were shortlisted, which was further narrowed down to 15 in the second round. We have already completed one semester after becoming an autonomous institution,” he said. He added that nearly 500 students are admitted annually across eight three-year diploma courses.

Explaining the factors that helped KPT secure autonomy, Keni said the institution has consistently recorded 100 per cent admissions and placements for its graduates. He also noted its strong performance in sports, with the college emerging champions for 12 consecutive years, along with active student participation in NCC and NSS activities.

Autonomous status allows KPT to design industry-oriented curricula, conduct examinations, prepare question papers, and manage academic documentation independently. The institution can also directly collaborate with industries and receive priority funding from AICTE or the Ministry of Education. While academic autonomy has been granted, financial control will continue to rest with the state government.

“There will be separate committees for examinations, question paper setting, boards of studies, and boards of examiners. The institution will now have the freedom to conduct admissions without government notifications and issue its own marks cards,” Keni said, adding that new academic initiatives would be planned after a year of functioning under the autonomous framework.

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