Mangalorean.com is proud to present one of the most eminent Educationist and entrepreneur of Mangalore, Mr. Yenepoya Abdulla Kunhi, chairman of Yenepoya Group and recipient of the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award, as the Mangalorean Star for the month of June.

Mr. Yenepoya Abdulla Kunhi was born on 14th November 1947, in Kasargod. He had his earlier education from St. Aloysius College, Mangalore, and graduated in B.A. from Mysore University.  He is married to P.K. Nasreen and has two sons and two daughters.

The Yenepoya Group was started in 1940 by his father Mr. Yenepoya Moideen Kunhi – Great Visionary and Entrepreneur, who had a humble beginning and today nearly six decades later, the Yenepoya Group, has grown meteorically covering a vast sphere of business interests and diverse social service ventures and providing both direct and indirect employment to over 3000 people.  

Yenepoya Group started out as a small timber trading concern and gradually began rapid forays into the fields of timber and allied products, trading, transport, hospitality, minerals & granites, education, healthcare, real estate and more.

Among several other portfolios, Y. Abdulla Kunhi holds the office as Managing Director of Kanara Wood & Plywood Industries Ltd., Owner of Yenepoya Saw Mill, Managing Director of Yenepoya Minerals & Granites Ltd., Chairman of Yenepoya Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Pvt. Ltd., and Chairman of Islamic Academy of Education (R) – a charitable trust and backbone of Yenepoya Medical College, Yenepoya Dental College and Yenepoya Institute of Nursing Sciences.

He also holds the offices of the Vice President of Badria Educational Institution, Vice Chairman of the Islamic Trust and Trustee of P.A. Educational Trust.  He is also the Ex-Director of Air India Ltd., & Indian Airlines Ltd.

Y Abdulla Kunhi is a proud recipient of the coveted Karnataka Rajyotsava Award – 1992 for yeomen service rendered in the fields of industry, education & social service.

On the social front, Y Abdulla Kunhi is an active member of Lions Club of Mangalore.

Service of the masses has always remained a priority with the Yenepoya Group, which has not forgotten its social responsibilities as a corporate citizen in spite of its overwhelming success and overbearing responsibilities in other terrains.

It was in keeping with this that the ‘Yenepoya Moideen Kunhi Memorial Educational & Charitable Trust was conceived.  The main objectives of this charitable trust is to render financial and material help to the down trodden and less fortunate sections of the community for education purposes, rehabilitation of orphans and disabled, conducting marriages etc., The trust also runs a charitable 200 – bed hospital which provides health care services free of cost to the poor and deprived sections of the society.

More recently however, Y Abdulla Kunhi has been totally engrossed in the realization of one of the founders more cherished dreams, an all-encompassing 32 acre campus at Deralakatte, Mangalore, which has created a record of sorts by default.  This campus houses the ‘Yenepoya Medical College’, ‘Yenepoya Dental College’ and ‘Yenepoya Institute of Nursing Sciences’, apart from a multi-specialty hospital and the ‘Yenepoya Institute of Medical Sciences & Research’.  The separate Boys and Girls hostels, library, auditorium, playground etc. are also built into the campus.

A brief interview with Mr Yenepoya Abdulla Kunhi

Your contribution to the society in education is immense. What is your future plan?
 
Last year we received full permission to run a Medical College. This year we got permission for PG Course.  Hence, I am trying to maintain quality in the education system and in stabilizing the projects.  Next year, on June 7, 2007, we are planning to start Montesuri School in Jeppu Mogeru.

As an educationist, what is your message to the society? 

If we work hard with sincerity, we can definitely achieve good results in our life.  
 
What inspired you to enter into the field of education?

My father was illiterate and repented for lack of education.  So, he made sure that his children received a good education.
 
Earlier it was difficult for women in your community to receive education.  However, the time has changed.  What is the situation now?  

Presently there are approximately 60% female students enrolled in our institutions.  Apart from providing quality education, we are providing a friendly environment.  Punctuality is the hallmark of our institution.
 
What is your commitment towards poor and socially backward class students?

From this year onwards, we are launching a welfare scheme for poor students in which, 10 merit students from economically poor backgrounds, will be provided education free of cost. We are setting up YMK memorial education charitable trust for this venture. 

A brief business profile of Mr Yenepoya Abdulla Kunhi

Education

a) Islamic Academy of Education (Regd.): Chairman

• Yenepoya Dental College         
• Yenepoya Medical College
• Yenepoya Institute of Nursing Sciences
• Yenepoya Nursing College
• Yenepoya Physiotherapy College

b) Yenepoya Center for Development Studies: Promoter

c) P.A. Educational Trust (Regd.): Trustee

• P.A. College of Engineering

d) Yenepoya Moideen Kunhi Memorial Educational & Charitable Trust: Chairman

e) Badria Educational Institution: Vice-President

Health Care:

Yenepoya Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Pvt. Ltd.: Chairman

Timber & Allied Products:

• Yenepoya Moideen Kunhi & Co.: Partner
• Kanara Wood & Plywood Industries Ltd.: Managing Director
• Indian Wood & Wood Products: Trustee
• Yenepoya Saw Mill: Owner
• Yenepoya Veneers: Coordinator   
• Dunkeld Estates: Coordinator    
• Yenepoya Timber Company: Partner   
• Yenepoya Saw Mill, Bangalore: Partner   
• Yenepoya Processed Lumbers: Partner
• Yenepoya Resins & Chemicals: Partner

Trading:

• Yenepoya – Jotun Paints Trading Pvt. Ltd.: Director

Transport: 

• Yenepoya Transport Company: Partner

Hospitality:    

• Yenepoya Hotels (Owners of Hotel Manjarun, Currently run by Taj Group): Partner

Granites & Minerals:

• Yenepoya Minerals & Granites Ltd.: Managing Director

Real Estate:

• Yenepoya Builders & Developers: Partner

Social Welfare:  

• Islamic Trust (A Charitable Trust): Vice-Chairman   
• Yenepoya Care Fund: Chairman
• Malja-Ul Islam Orphanage: President
• Islamic Cultural Centre: President

Other Bodies:

• Air India Ltd. & Indian Airlines Ltd.: Ex-Director
• Govt. of Karnataka Task Force: Member
• Karnataka Vanasamvardhana Trust (R): Trustee

Meanwhile the saga continues for a person who has striven hard to achieve his goals.  It can be said – success is never a destination and always a journey.

Mangalorean.com wishes Mr. Yenepoya Abdulla Kunhi all the very best in his future endeavors.

By R. K. Bhat - Team Mangalorean