Pics: Joshwa D'souza

Daijiworld Media Network-Mangaluru (JD)

Mangaluru, Dec 27: "It was the Karnataka Polytechnic (KPT) which gave technical education to the youth from the economically poor sections to make them stand on their legs," said Abhayachandra Jain, the state fisheries and youth welfare minister.

Jain was speaking after inaugurating the alumni meet of the Karnataka Polytechnic college in its premises in city on Sunday, December 28.

"In 1960s and 1970s there were only two technical colleges in the city. One was Karnataka Regional Engineering College (KREC) and other was Karnataka Polytechnic (KPT). But it was KPT that imparted education to the poor. If the region receives large amounts of funds from overseas countries today, the role of old students of KPT in this remittance is significant."

Recalling his days when he was a student in KPT in 1975, Jain said "We were known for our naughty behaviour when we were studying in the first year. Whenever we invited people like DC (deputy commissioner) and SP (superintendent of police), they used to refuse the invitation due to security issues. After Dr Hegde refused to come to one of our functions, we introspected among ourselves and improved our behaviour. If many of us stand in good positions today, it is only because of the values and the education we received in KPT."

The minister later assured that he will work on granting Rs 3 crore for the college development in the coming state budget.

Veteran orthopaedic surgeon Dr Shantharam Shetty who rendered the key note address said "It is a pleasing moment to see the gathering alumni of the institution with the history of 68 years and I congratulate the organisers for the efforts. This is moment to think what you have given back to the society after standing on your own legs. Many of you have contributed to the growth of the region and I congratulate you for that."

The president of the KPT alumni association Bhaskar Vitla, director of department of technical education U H Thal'avar, principal of the college V Susheela Kumari were among the present.