Media Release
Dubai, Apr 29: Literacy in one's mother tongue should be the birth-right of every child — this is the motto of the world’s biggest Kannada language literacy school, which has been thriving for the last 11 years in Dubai, UAE. The school was founded by Shashidhar Nagarajappa along with its core members Siddalingesh, Sunil Gavaskar, Shashidhar Mundaragi, Nagaraj Rao, and teaching head Roopa H G.
Kannada Mitraru UAE is a voluntary organization founded in 2014 to promote the Kannada language among young NRIs in the UAE and Gulf region. It operates under the name ‘Kannada Patha Shaale Dubai’, popularly known as KPSD.
The school, which started with just 40 students in 2014, has grown exponentially and reached a strength of 1,250 students in 2025. Students of the current academic year were awarded certificates of appreciation and grades secured in the annual exams conducted in March 2025.
A grand valedictory event was held in Dubai on April 27 at the Icerink Auditorium in Al Nasr Leisure Land, Dubai, with major sponsorship by the PARVA Group of Companies based in Dubai.
The event was attended by dignitaries such as Dr Moideen Thumbay, founder and chairman of Thumbay Group of Hospitals and Medical College; Praveen Shetty, founder and chairman of Fortune Group and president of the KNRI Forum; Neelesh HP, founder and chairman of PARVA Group; prominent educationist Basavaraj Deshmukh, secretary of Sharanabasaveshwara Vidyavardhaka Samsthe of Kalaburagi; Mohan Narasimhamurthy; M E Mooluru; Frank Fernandes; Govind Rai Naik; actress Roopika Appu; and local organization heads Satish Poojary and Sarvothama Shetty.
KPSD donates a smart classroom to a Kannada medium government school in Karnataka every year. This year, a smart classroom was donated to the Government Higher Primary School, Kodunge, of Bantwal taluk in Karnataka.
KPSD also recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to Kannada schools and the promotion of the Kannada language with the ‘Kannada Mitra’ award and a cash prize of Rs 25,000. At this year’s valedictory event, the prestigious ‘Kannada Mitra’ award was bestowed upon Kannada medium school teacher Geetha Judith Saldana for her remarkable achievements in rejuvenating a Kannada medium government school and rehabilitating nomadic children by providing basic needs such as food and hygiene, and getting them admitted to school. Her exceptional accomplishment includes teaching Kannada to 60 students, who are now literate and can read and write in Kannada.
KPSD also honors its teachers for their selfless and long-standing service. This year, the ‘Teacher of the Decade / Dashakada Shikshaki’ award was given to Kavya Yuvaraj, who has been teaching Kannada for 10 years without any salary or benefits.
Other teachers who have taught at the school for more than four years received the ‘Shikshana Koustubha’ award. This year’s recipients were Triveni Prahlad, Nayana Dharwad, and Roopa Vorate.
The grand stage at Al Nasr was witness to extravagant cultural performances by KPSD students, who showcased their love for the Kannada language.
The event was anchored by KPSD teacher Kavya Yuvaraj and students Dheeraj Mahadev and Krisha Gavaskar.
A huge turnout of over 2,000 people attended this day-long event. A total of 1,700 free lunches were served to all students, parents, and guests.