Building free houses for poor students: Udupi's Yakshagana Kalaranga shows the way
: A II PU student Thulasi who lost her parents sometime ago was in mixed mood when Yakshagana Kalaranga of Udupi got her a new house built for free, through a donor, about two months ago.
The house built in about three months at her native place Aadrugoli near Kirimanjeshwara in Udupi district was opened on March 3. It was the 66th free house built by the Kalaranga for poor students in the district.
In all, 70 free houses were got built since the Kalaranga launched the free housing project in 2012 for poor students enrolled under its Vidyaposhak initiative.
All the houses were built through donors. The 70th house built for pre-university student M. N. Varada of Golihole, near Byndoor, was inaugurated on May 2.
'Another 20 houses are in the pipeline. Of them, 10 houses will be built by June 15,' Murali Kadekar, secretary of the Kalaranga, told The Hindu.
Promoting education, Yakshagana
The Kalaranga is an organisation dedicated to the promotion of Yakshagana and education. Its Vidyaposhak initiative launched in 2005 provides students facilities like scholarships, textbooks, book-bank scheme, health check-up and medical facilities, and free coaching for meritorious students from economically weaker families.
Students, mainly from Kannada medium, securing 80% and above in Class 10 and residing in Udupi district are eligible to apply for the scholarship.
Construction of houses for Vidyaposhak students who live in dilapidated/thatch-roofed houses without any amenities is a humanitarian support extended by the Kalaranga.
Mr. Kadekar said that a team of volunteers of Kalaranga visited the houses of applicants to assess the need for scholarships. While doing so they identified the need for houses for students.
M. Gangadhar Rao, president of Kalaranga, said that the organisation had got two types of housing models, single bedroom and double bedroom. The houses were built based on the need of students. Each house is built through a donor.
Donors from middle class
'A majority of donors are from the middle class and are those who have experienced the pains of poverty in their lifetime. Such donors connect to the needs of poor families easily,' Mr. Rao said, adding that a temple priest in Udupi too donated his savings for building a house.
The construction cost varied from a minimum of ₹4 lakh to a maximum of ₹7 lakh, Mr. Kadekar said, adding that all the houses had tile roofs and the built-up area of each house varied from 450 sq ft to 500 sq ft. Kalaranga provided a table and two chairs to each house.
'A majority of houses have been built for girl students as donors opt for building houses to girls facing housing issues,' Mr. Rao said.
Thulasi, a II PU student, said, 'My family lost the house in heavy winds and rains in 2017. Later, we were living in a small room. Now, I live with my grandmother and sister in the new house built by Kalaranga. It is of great help. I don't have words to explain my happiness.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
8 hours ago
- The Hindu
Kanchi Acharya releases Tamil translation of books published by The Hindu Group on Mahaswamigal
The pontiff of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, Sri Shankara Vijayendra Saraswati Shankaracharya, on Tuesday released the Tamil translations of two volumes of the book published by The Hindu Group titled, 'Embodiment of Truth - Kanchi Mahaswami' (Unmayin Avatharam - Kanchi Mahaswami), at the Kanchi Mutt's branch in Tirupati. He appreciated The Hindu Group for its role in bringing the teachings and discourses of the 68th pontiff of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Shankaracharya Mahaswamigal, to the public. He said the two volumes were published in English earlier, and based on requests from devotees, the Tamil version had been published. The Shankaracharya said the book detailed Mahaswamigal's life, spiritual journeys, public discourses, teachings, and the widespread reception he received, which were compiled from news reports and photographs published in The Hindu. It also includes his personal experiences with Mahaswamigal, the Shankaracharya said. Close relationship Further, the Shankaracharya highlighted the close relationship between the Kanchi Mutt and The Hindu Group, recalling Mahaswamigal's visit to The Hindu office. The first and second copies of the books were received by Prof. Devanathachariar of the National Sanskrit University, Tirupati, and P. Vaidyanathan, Chairman, Integrated Enterprises, respectively. Prior to the release, special rituals were held at the Kamakshi Amman temple in Kancheepuram and Mahaswamigal's Adhishtanam at Kanchi Mutt. The price of the two volumes is ₹799. As a limited period launch offer, the two volumes are priced at ₹599. Readers can get the copies by visiting The Hindu bookstore website:
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
Tailor's daughter secures 17 gold medals
Huvinahadagali (Vijayanagara): Sahana Patage, who received 17 gold medals from Bagalkot University of Horticultural Sciences on Tuesday, hails from Holalu village in Huvinahadagali taluk of the district. Sahana, daughter of tailor Manjunath Patage and Shobha, achieved this impressive milestone while studying for her degree in horticultural science at Bidar Horticultural College during the 2021-24 academic period. In addition to being awarded the 'Best Student of the University' during the convocation at Bagalkot University of Horticultural Sciences on Tuesday, she was also honoured with 17 gold medals from various trusts. The medals were presented to her by governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot. Currently, Sahana is pursuing her MSc at the agricultural university in Coimbatore. She completed her education in Kannada medium at Swami Vivekananda Govt High School in Holalu village. She has even got first place in the Ballari district during the 2017 SSLC examination. Reflecting on her achievement, Sahana said, "I was a topper in college. However, I never anticipated reaching such heights in my degree. I am thrilled to have received so many medals. Given the chance to study, children, particularly girls, can surpass their parents' expectations. I aim to contribute positively to the farming community." The villagers and educators of the district have congratulated Sahana on her exceptional achievement.
The Hindu
a day ago
- The Hindu
Stalin inaugurates libraries at bus termini, hospitals in Vellore, two other districts
: Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Tuesday virtually inaugurated 'special libraries' at bus termini, government hospitals, and Collectorates in Vellore, Ranipet and Tirupattur districts. School Education Department officials said public spaces with high footfalls were chosen for setting up the facilities to inculcate reading habit, especially among children and help them reduce their screen time. 'The facilities will function from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on all days, except Fridays and public holidays,' K.R. Palani, Vellore District Library Officer, told The Hindu. In Vellore, the special libraries were opened at the new bus terminus, Vellore Government Medical College Hospital and Government Taluk Hospital in Gudiyatham. Vellore Collector V.R. Subbulaxmi, Mayor Sujatha Anandakumar, and elected representatives visited the library at the Collectorate and bus terminus in the district. 'Most of the books are in Tamil. These are small in size, making it easier to complete them before we board the buses,' said C. Prem Kumar, a commuter. Officials said the libraries had been set up on the ground floor of hospitals and Collectorates, making it convenient for readers to visit the facility. Each library has separate sections for women and children, and exclusive newspaper and magazine, apart from adequate sanitary facilities. Each has around 150-200 books in English and Tamil on subjects ranging from history and politics to reference books for competitive examinations. The plan is to add new books to the collection every month. A full-time librarian has been posted at the libraries, which can accommodate around 20 visitors at a time. The facilities have also been inaugurated at the bus terminus in Arakkonam, government hospitals in Walajah and Tirupattur, and the Collectorates in Ranipet and Tirupattur. Ranipet has the highest number of libraries (71), followed by Vellore (53) and Tirupattur (34).
