Daijiworld Media Network—Bangalore (RD/CN)

Bangalore, Aug 3: The metro-based Samartanam Trust for the Disabled bagged the prestigious ‘Professor Na Vajrakumar Award’ for its service in empowering the poor and downtrodden including the blind, physically challenged, and differently-abled almost 1,600 students of different castes, creeds, and religions to lead self-reliant lives.

“The Trust that was established in the metro in 1997 has branches in Hubli, Dharwad, Gadag, and other cities.  It provides hostel facilities and free education to the physically challenged students and has set up a widows’ rehabilitation centre. The Trust has been providing mid-day meals to 45,000 students in 134 state-run schools in the metro.  It has a target of providing mid-day meals to 1,00,000 students by next academic year,” stated Trust president Mahantesh Kivadasannavar.

The award comprises of Rs 25,000 in cash and a citation letter.  The Award will be conferred under the leadership of Dr D Veerendra Heggade, Dharmadhikari of Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala, and chairman of Award Committee, stated a media release.