Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (NJC)
Mangaluru, Jul 4: The South Canara District Central Co-operative Bank (SCDCC Bank) organised the Pratibha Puraskar 2025–26 programme on Saturday at the Molahalli Shivaraya Memorial Hall in its head office, Mangaluru, to honour meritorious students from Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.
The programme, held in memory of co-operative pioneer Late Molahalli Shivaraya, began with an invocation by Chitralekha S Shetty, followed by a yoga performance by Tanushree Pithrody. The event was formally inaugurated with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by the dignitaries.
Students who secured outstanding marks in the SSLC and II PUC examinations during the academic year 2025–26 were felicitated with the Pratibha Puraskar in recognition of their academic excellence. The bank also distributed scholarships to the children of its staff members to support their higher education.
Former Karnataka minister and founder of Vikas Education Trust, Krishna J Palemar, attended as the chief guest and presented the awards to the achievers. Addressing the gathering, he said that recognising meritorious students not only honours their achievements but also motivates thousands of other students across Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts to strive for academic excellence.
He emphasised that the award is more than a stage honour, describing students as the nation's future asset, and urged them to grow into responsible professionals such as doctors, scientists, engineers, and leaders who will contribute to the country's development.
Presiding over the programme, M N Rajendra Kumar highlighted that the bank has been encouraging talented students for the past 19 years, inspiring them to pursue higher education and serve the nation. He also underlined the bank's commitment to social development through women empowerment, noting the high loan repayment rate among women beneficiaries as a reflection of trust and financial discipline. Rajendra Kumar further appealed to the award recipients to give back to society by supporting the education of other deserving students once they achieve success in their careers.
The event was attended by SCDCC Bank vice-chairman Vinay Kumar Surinje, director Dr Deviprasad Shetty, managing director Praveen Nayak, former president Sadashiva Ullal, directors of the bank, staff members, parents and students.
The ceremony concluded with the felicitation of the award-winning students, celebrating their academic achievements and reaffirming SCDCC Bank's continued commitment to promoting education, nurturing young talent, and encouraging a culture of excellence and social responsibility.