Moodbidri : “As the former American President John F Kennedy said what we have given to our nation is more important rather than what the nation has given us. The students who are the major force of the nation should contribute towards building a strong nation. With over 40 per cent of the population of the nation being youth, it would not be an impossible task. A responsible younger generation can ensure a bright future for India,” said Dr D Veerendra Heggade, Dharmadhikari of Dharmasthala.
He was speaking as a chief guest at the 67th Independence Day celebrations held at Alvas Education Foundation here on August 15, Thursday. Dr Heggade was also all praise for the yeoman contributions of Dr Mohan Alva, Chairman of Alvas Foundation to education, literary, cultural and sports arena.
Former minister Amarnath Shetty, Jayashree Amarnath Shetty, Mijarguttu Anand Alva, Dr M Mohan Alva, Vivek Alva and Vinay Alva were also present.
Over 20,000 students, 2500 teaching faculty, 900 non-teaching faculty and over 500 dignitaries attended the colourful function.
On this occasion, the 96th birth anniversary of freedom fighter Mijarguttu Anand Alva was celebrated by lighting 96 lamps. The Payaswini and Phalguni Students Hostels and Mulki Sunder Ram Shetty Post Graduate Study Centre building were inaugurated.
A 45 member artistes troupe from Swara Ninaada, Kolhapur presented a programme ‘Jaago Hindustani’ wherein patriotic Hindi film songs were rendered.