Report and pics by Vinay Pais
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)
Kundapur, Jun 21: Bhandarkar's College of Art, Science and Commerce owes it's existence to Dr A S Bhandarkar's vision. Bhandarkar, an NRI native of Kundapur, had made an initial donation of one lakh rupees in the year 1963 for setting up of the college. The college provided a ray of hope to hundreds of aspiring students from nearby villages of Kundapur, a small town then, who were frustrated as there was no opportunity for them to continue their education beyond PUC. The nearest college was located in Udupi, 40 kms away.
Dr Bhandakar was the royal Physician of Late Jayachamraja Odeyar of Mysore who graced the inaugural ceremony of the College and declared the then small tiled building open. Today, the College has grown into a campus of several new faculties besides the conventional degree courses. Its well-equipped library in a separate new building is a model for other educational institutions in the state of Karnataka to emulate. The College celebrated it's silver jubilee in 1988. Its Fortieth year celebrations were held in the year 2003 and now as a part of its forty fifth year of operation, the College will hold a two-day seminar, during which the focus on values of life in education, motivational programmes like patriotism, personality development and leadership would be highlighted. Besides, extra-curricular activities such as Yakshgana Tala Maddale and other theatre activities will also be organized at the state level. The students of the College now numbering nearly 2000, hail from the neighboring rural areas.
Free of cost mid-day meal programme for the eligible poor students is an attractive feature of the College. Besides, an annual feature of campus placements is of late being organized by IT giants like infosys and Wipro. Over and above, special coaching classes for the benefit of students aspiring to appear for IAS and IPS exams are also organized in the College campus.