Media Release
Udupi, Jun 17: In a significant gesture of support for social welfare initiatives, the president of the Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Dr Ranjan R Pai, visited the newly constructed building of Yakshagana Kalaranga on Monday and toured the entire facility.
During the visit, Dr Ranjan Pai watched a documentary showcasing the organisation’s activities at the IYC auditorium and expressed his appreciation for its humanitarian work. Commending Yakshagana Kalaranga for quietly building homes for the homeless without seeking publicity, he announced that MAHE would sponsor the construction of 50 houses, funding 10 houses annually over the next five years.
Welcoming the dignitaries, Yakshagana Kalaranga president M Gangadhara Rao expressed gratitude to Dr Ranjan Pai for the generous financial assistance already extended towards land acquisition and the maintenance of the organisation’s new building.
Secretary Murali Kadekar briefed the gathering on the remaining works to be completed in the building. He noted that the healthcare and educational institutions founded by Dr T M A Pai had expanded significantly under the leadership of Dr Ramdas Pai and achieved global prominence during the tenure of Dr Ranjan Pai. He described Dr Ranjan Pai’s leadership, simplicity, and generosity as an inspiration to all.
Speaking on the occasion, MAHE pro-chancellor Dr H S Ballal said that the institution has consistently supported healthcare initiatives and the education of deserving students. He assured continued support from MAHE for the activities and requirements of Yakshagana Kalaranga.
Dr Ranjan Pai was felicitated with a memento as a token of gratitude.
Among those present were former president K Ganesha Rao, vice-presidents P Kishan Hegde and V G Shetty, treasurer Prof K Sadashiva Rao, joint secretaries Narayana M Hegde and Vidyaprasad, and members U Vishwanath Shenoy, U S Rajagopal Acharya, Prof M L Samaga, Bhuvana Prasad Hegde, Vijayakumar Mudradi, Prof Shankar, Anantaraj Upadhya, Dr Rajesh Navada, Ganesh Brahmavar, and Samskruti.