Kumta: Dr Ramdas Pai Conferred with ‘Canara Ratna' Award
Daijiworld Media Network – Kumta (RD)
Kumta, Feb 17: 'Canara Ratna Award, for the year 2007-08' instituted by Canara College Society was conferred on Dr Ramdas M Pai, chancellor of Manipal University and President of the Manipal Education and Medical Group (MEMG), here on Saturday February 16, during the function held at Dr Baliga Arts and Science College.
The award was conferred by S V Pikale, chairman of Canara College Society, in the presence of Sri Vidhyadiraja Teertha Swamiji. Felicitation of Vasanthi Pai was also held at the same occasion.
Dr Ramdas Pai, while acknowledging the felicitation said that Manipal University has achieved mile stone in health, social, educational and other related fields and strive for excellence in all. The younger generation needs good education, Manipal Group of Education Institutions stands committed in this regard.
It is apparent that Uttara Kannada has been lagging behind in many fields. However, Canara College Society under the chairmanship of SV Pikale has been working on the mission of strengthening the district in all the fields of educational sphere. Moreover, Uttara Kannada lies in dire need of medical, engineering and higher education institutions.
S V Pikale, in his welcome address urged Dr Ramdas Pai to assist in transforming Kumta into ‘Mini Manipal’ at the earliest.
Sri Vidyadiraja Teertha Swamiji stressed the need to develop the district into medical, educational and commercial hub, since it has all the potential for expansion.
Swamiji also inaugurated Mukta S Pikale Institute of Hotel Management, newly set up by Canara College Society before the conferring of awards ceremony.
K K Pai, registrar of Manipal Academy of General Studies, K K Avarsekar, recipient of ‘Canara Ratna – 2005’ and proprietor of Unity Construction Company, Mumbai, were the chief guests present at the occasion.
Mukund G Pai, proprietor of Balanced Financial Concept, USA, Muralidhar Y Prabhu, CEO, Sudhakar, secretary were also present.
Dr S V Kamath, G S Bhat, S N Shetty, professors and trustees of managing committee, were also present.
Prof G D Bhat and Prof Preethi Bhandarkar compered the programme. Muralidhar Prabhu proposed vote of thanks.
Canara Ratna Award instituted by Canara College Society during 2002, in recognition of social, educational and financial contributions by distinguished personalities in Uttara Kannada and Dakshina Kannada. Accordingly, Canara Ratna has been conferred on R V Deshpande, R V Shastry, N M Nilekani, K M Kamath and K K Avarsekar.
Members of the managing committee and others were present on the occasion.