Report and Pics by Alok S, Team Mangalorean

Mangalore: The inauguration of the Vikas Pre-University College was held at the City Town Hall here on  June 11.  The programme began with an invocation. Vikas PU College Correspondent Dr Shripati Rao welcomed the gathering.  The traditional lamp was lit by the dignitaries on the dais.
 
Dr Shantaram Shetty in his inaugural address termed Mangalore as the 'Boston' of India . "Boston in USA is the education hub of the world and so is Mangalore, to our country. The coastal city with its 6 lakh population houses several educational institutions inviting thousands of students from across the nation. Education should see that pollution of all kinds is stopped. Each student should learn to deal with self-conflict " he said.

Bangalore IGP (Intelligence) Gopal Hosur said "Education with self-confidence makes a person strong. Role of teachers is vital in a student's education. 35 % of the 126 crore of Indian population is aged below 15 years."

Mangalore University Ex-Vice Chancellor Dr Kaverappa said "The intellect of this country is based on 12% of  its population. The Central and State governments have been making efforts to bring this percentage up." Quoting the French Poet Victor Hugo he said, "If you open a school, it is equivalent closing a jail down" and explained that to prevent crime we need to see that education is reached to all. "Pre-University study is a transitional state where the aptitude and ability of a person, and the aptitude  decides what kind of a profession a person chooses. The mind of a youth should be ignited, creativity should light a flame. Alternate thinking is not being encouraged by teachers." he added.

Expert Educational and Charitable Foundation Secretary Ushaprabha Nayak said that educational institutions need to support each other in order to develop the country through education. "Don't expect God to do everything for you as God is not the creator of our destiny, but we are" she urged to the students. Spilling out the three mantras to a successful life she said, "Hardwork, hardwork & only hardwork will give you success".

Expert Educational and Charitable Foundation Chairman Prof. Narendra L. Nayak pointed out that, teaching is noblest profession of the current generation followed by medicine and defense services. He invited the students to take up the teaching profession as there is need of good teachers for the coming generation more than engineers or doctors.

Ex-Minister and MLA J. Krishna Palemar in his presidential speech thanked the Expert Institutions for having tied up with Vikas PU College and said that the students will get the latest and advanced facilities and the college will be an excellent place for learning. He claimed that he did not want to mix politics with education and hence he did not want to involve politicians in his inaugural speech. "I couldn't reach the heights of education in my life, so I would like to see many children benefit out of the education imparted in the college", he added.

Principal  of Vikas College Dr K Rajendra A  delivered the vote of thanks. Karnukar Barkur compered the programme. Five of the dignitaries were felicitated by the Indian Overseas Bank on the occasion.

ICAI Vice-Chairman M. Jagannath Kamath, Member of Advisory Committee Prasanna Kumar Palemar and others were also present on the dais. Other dignitaries Former Mayor Rajani Duganna,  Entrepreneurs A J Shetty and K C Naik also graced the ceremony.