Sullia: Dr Kurunji Venkatramana Gowda no more

Daijiworld Media Network - Sullia (EP)

Sullia, Aug 7: Dr Kurunji Venkatramana Gowda, visionary educationist and founder president of Academy of Liberal Education, Sullia, passed away on Wednesday August 7. He was 78.

He passed away at his residence here, due to illness.

Thanks to the visionary leadership of Dr Kurunji Venkatramana Gowda, Academy of Liberal Education today is a conglomerate with more than fifty educational Institutions.
 
Dr KVG was a man of many dimensions. He was an educationist, a social reformer, a philosopher, a great preacher, an able administrator and a great philanthropist.

As founder of various educational institutions, his contributions to the field of education have been immense. His brainchild, the Academy of Liberal Education, consists of primary education, technical, ayurveda, dental and medical colleges. Over 7,000 students from all over the country study in the KVG educational institutes. He established over 40 educational institutions in places like New Delhi, Bangalore, besides his birth place Sullia. Moreover, besides providing education, through his educational institutions, he has provided employment to numerous people.

There are over 115 youth clubs for women in the taluk which receive financial support from him. He was a workaholic and worked tirelessly. He was a visionary par excellence influenced by Gandhiji's philosophy. His efforts are immense in establishing a board school, treasury, electricity, telephone and health centers at Sullia.

Kurunji was the recipient of numerous awards, both national and international. Florida University, USA has conferred a Honarary Doctorate, Rajiv Gandhi Ekta award, Glory of India award, Parisararatna award, Vikas Jyoti award, Indira Gandhi Sadhbhavana award, Karnataka Sahitya Academy award, Udupi Manukula Bhushana award, International Gold star Millennium award, Mother Excellence award, American Medal of Honour, Nepal Friendship Award, Rastriya Ratan award, and various other awards have been conferred on him.

Dr D Veerendra Heggade condoled the sad demise of Dr Kurunji.