Pics: Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Jan 19: Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday January 19 inaugurated Brahmashree Narayana Guru study chair and a new building of applied botany department at Mangalore University, Konaje here.

Addressing the gathering, Siddaramaiah said, "It is a privilege to inaugurate Brahmashree Narayana Guru study chair at Mangalore University. It is the only scheduled university in Karnataka that has taken the initiative to set up a chair on the saint. The government has already given approval for Rs 2 crore as grant for the chair, out of which Rs one crore has been released. Narayana Guru established over 60 temples in Kerala, and in Mangaluru he consecrated a Shivalingam which he brought from Kerala and the Kshetra was named Gokarnanatha by Sri Narayana Guru. Even so many decades since his death, his ideologies and thoughts are still fresh and relevant, and need to be followed."

Inaugurating the state-of-the-art hi-tech modular laboratories of international standard, higher education minister Basavaraj Rayareddy said, "Mangalore University has always been at the top in terms of discipline, quality of education provided and other facilities available. During my previous visit, I had inspected the modular lab more than ever and was amazed to see the maintanance of the lab which has hi-tech facilities, I wholeheartedly congratulate the vice-chancellor and his team.

"In higher education sector, there are lots of challenges ahead which need to faced in order to ensure quality of education for the students. During the state budget 2016-17 presented by CM Siddaramaiah, the government reserved Rs 25 crore for the purpose of education. The government has invited tender to provide free computer course for students who belong to SC\ST," he added.

Noted Kannada litterateur Prof Baraguru Ramachandrappa released 19 books including three books in English by Prasaranga. Authors of the 19 books were felicitated on the occasion

Minister for forest, environment and ecology B Ramanath Rai felicitated university sports achievers who created records for the year 2016-17. Among them were Dharun, Srijith and Harbaksh Singh.

Ramanath Rai also handed over university research fellowship to research scholars.

Former minister Vinay Kumar Sorake, Prof B A Vivek Rai, vice-chancellor of Mangalore University Prof K Byrappa, registrar A M Khan and others were present.