Latest news with #AdichunchanagiriMutt
Indian Express
09-08-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Unsung Heroes: From a barefoot Karnataka village boy to an educationist and social worker, how Dr Eregowda is transforming lives with knowledge
Gangasamudra, a small village in Nagamangala Taluk, Mandya district, Karnataka, may seem an unlikely starting point for a transformative figure in education and social work. Yet, it is here that Dr Eregowda GB, born to uneducated parents Bhadragowda and Nengamma, began a journey that would not only defy his circumstances but also reshape the educational landscape for thousands of students. At a young age, Eregowda found a guiding light in Adichunchanagiri Mutt, where he spent 15 years under the mentorship of Sri Sri Balagangadharanatha Mahaswamiji. Life at the mutt was austere –two meals a day – but it instilled discipline and purpose. 'The guidance of Swamiji kept us motivated,' he said. Eregowda's academic journey took a decisive turn when he chose to pursue chemistry, a subject in which he initially struggled. A challenge from his chemistry lecturer sparked a transformation. 'He told me to prove myself in chemistry if I respected him,' Eregowda recounted. This ignited a fire within him, spurring him to top chemistry in his class during BSc, get a distinction in Master's, and a PhD funded by the central government. 'My connection with chemistry grew so profound that, even today, I cannot sleep without reading the subject for hours. That incident changed my perspective, and I developed a deep connection with chemistry,' he said. In 1997, Eregowda cracked a test conducted by the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) and was selected as a chemistry lecturer in a government pre-university college. Over the next 28 years, he served in various colleges, including as acting principal, with a mission to increase the number of students from Karnataka passing national-level entrance exams like NEET and JEE. His tenure began in Battalahalli, Chintamani Taluk, where he turned around a college with zero admissions by personally enrolling 80 science students. 'We built the college from scratch, with no chairs or boards initially,' he recalled. His longest stint was at Yelahanka Government Pre-University College, where he served for 18 years, maintaining an annual enrolment of 3,000 students. His efforts ensured students secured free MBBS seats without needing additional tuition, proving the potential of government institutions. 'Poor families have bright students who can't afford private colleges,' he noted. Spurred by a colleague's remark that lecturers in Bengaluru merely taught from others' books, he embarked on a mission to write his own. 'That comment hurt me, and I decided to write a book,' he said. Despite initial financial losses, his family's support, particularly from his wife, kept him going. 'My wife would stay up late with me, taking care of our child while I wrote,' he shared. Today, his chemistry books are used by over a lakh students and lecturers annually across Karnataka. In a bold move, Eregowda took voluntary retirement from government service to establish the Jeevith Education Trust, named after his son, to share his knowledge more widely. His institution achieved a remarkable 50 per cent success rate in its first batch, with 16 out of 32 students securing free medical seats. Eregowda's contributions to research are equally talked about. His work on cancer drugs, conducted under Professor K N Thimmaiah, led to the discovery of 21 new organic compounds and seven international publications. 'The drugs we developed worked better than existing ones, but they had too many side effects,' he said. Despite setbacks, including a costly experiment that failed, his passion for research persisted. Appointed as a scientific officer at Adichunchanagiri Cancer Research Center, he continued to contribute to medical advancements while balancing his teaching career. Eregowda's institution emphasizes discipline and application-based learning through NCERT books. He counsels parents against pressuring students into fields like medicine for prestige, advocating for alignment with students' capabilities. 'We assess students' capacity first,' he said, citing an example of guiding a student toward an IAS career via a medical degree. In 2016, he received the State-Level Best Lecturer Award, followed by the Aryabhata International Award, Sangama Ratna Award, Siddaganga Shri Award, Dr Abdul Kalam Lifetime Achievement Award, and the VK and BM Education Excellence Award, presented by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi. Looking ahead, Eregowda plans to write a book on the current education scenario, drawing on extensive research and student input. 'Research isn't limited to labs; I do it through teaching,' he said, emphasizing his ongoing commitment to education. His institution, now three years old, continues to grow under his wife's and son's leadership, serving as a beacon for students from underprivileged backgrounds.
Time of India
23-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Karnataka HC judge Justice HP Sandesh advises students to pursue knowledge and resilience for success
MADIKERI: Karnataka High Court Judge Justice H.P. Sandesh addressed students, emphasising that preserving humanity is a primary responsibility through which societal contributions should be made. Speaking at the Yuva Vikasana-25 programme, an informative workshop on UPSC, banking, and competitive examinations at Shanivarasanthe, he highlighted that students require a genuine desire for learning to achieve their objectives. The event was jointly organised by Adichunchanagiri Mutt, Kodagu Journalists' Association's Somwarpet Taluk Unit, BGS Seva Sangha, Kalale-Kudige, and Shanivarasante Bharathi Education Institution. Justice Sandesh emphasised that success comes through knowledge and dedication, encouraging students to cultivate discipline, punctuality, self-confidence, and fearlessness. He advised teachers to guide students in developing resilience when faced with adversity. M.B. Boralingaiah, the DIG (Southern range), noted that rural students often face limitations due to fear but can succeed through persistence and bravery. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Mendaftar Undo He stressed that education alone is insufficient and that skill development is crucial for securing positions. He advised students to regularly read newspapers and general knowledge publications to prepare for competitive examinations like UPSC, KPSC, and banking. Shambhunatha Swami, the head of Hassan's unit of Adichunchanagiri Mutt and Kodagu District Secretary of Adichunchanagiri Branch Math, observed that whilst science has numerous branches, comprehensive knowledge strengthens society. H.R. Harish Kumar, President of the Somwarpet Taluk Journalists' Association, Muralidhar, Founder President of Kodagu Journalists' Association, and resource persons P.C. Srinivas, Punith, H.T. Anil, and Girish Mallappa were present.
Indian Express
20-06-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurates Bengaluru campus of Adichunchanagiri University
Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the new Bengaluru campus of Adichunchanagiri University (ACU) on Friday. Built at a cost of Rs 200 crore, the sprawling 16-acre campus houses a 1,000-bed hospital and educational facilities for 4,000 students. In his address, Shah lauded the efforts of the Adichunchanagiri Mutt for its service-oriented approach rooted in the principle of 'Sarva jan hitaya, sarva jan sukhaya (The welfare and happiness of all).' Shah said, 'This complex will become a great medium of service in a true sense.' He praised the Mutt's wide-ranging social impact – from running rural health centres and providing free treatment to supporting education for underprivileged children. Referring to the legacy of Jagadguru Dr Balagangadharanatha Swamiji, the former chief pontiff of the Adichunchanagiri Mutt, and the efforts of Dr Nirmalanandanatha Mahaswamiji, the current pontiff of the Adichunchanagiri Mutt, Shah said the Mutt has successfully combined spirituality, culture, and modern education, connecting youth with tradition while enabling them to find a respectable place in society. He said the Mutt's activities are 'anchored on nine pillars – Anna (food), Akshara (education), Arogya (health), Adhyatmika (spirituality), Aashraya (shelter), Aranya (environment), Aakaalu (disaster relief), Anukampa (compassion), and Anubandh (community bonding).' 'It is a model for how religious institutions can help strengthen social unity while preserving culture and values,' he added. Shah also cited key central government interventions such as the Ayushman Bharat scheme, which provides free treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh for 60 crore people, the construction of nearly 12 crore toilets, the launch of the Fit India Movement, Mission Indradhanush for child immunisation, and the Poshan Abhiyan to address maternal and child nutrition. He further pointed to the expansion in medical education infrastructure under the Narendra Modi government: 'The number of AIIMS institutions has increased from 7 to 23, medical colleges from 387 to 780, MBBS seats from 51,000 to 1.18 lakh, and postgraduate seats from 31,000 to 74,000.' Speaking about affordable healthcare access, he noted that under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana, essential medicines are now available at 20 per cent of the market rate through over 15,000 centres. The 1,000-bed hospital on the newly inaugurated ACU campus has facilities for cardiology, neurosurgery, oncology, and transplants, including kidney, liver, and cornea.
