Udupi: SVP Foundation disburses scholarships to needy students

Media release
Pics: Praveen, Sany Digital Studio, Kalmady

Udupi, Oct 7: In a praiseworthy gesture, the SVP Udupi Foundation on Sunday October 6 extended financial assistance to students belonging to economically weaker and backward families at programme held at Mahila Samaj Bhavan here.

Around hundred students belonging to various communities were awarded scholarships on the occasion.

The programme was held under the chairmanship of Donald Saldanha, president of the Foundation. Sri Laxmivarateertha Swamiji of Shree Shiroor Math, Udupi, Fr William Martis, president UNHRC Udupi district, and Moulana Hafeez Mohammed Yunus of Jamia Masjid, Udupi, graced the occasion as guests of honour. Dr Neri Cornelio, principal, Milagres College Kallianpur was the chief guest .

James D'Souza, secretary welcomed the gathering, and offered garlands and fruits to the guests .

Seema Saldanha, treasurer, read a brief report on the various activities of the Foundation conducted during the past years. Scholarships were distributed to the beneficiary students belonging to primary, high school, undergraduate and post graduates categories by the guests of honour, the chief guest and the donors.

Guest of honour Laxmivaratheertha Swamiji appreciated the services of the foundation in helping the downtrodden, especially the students, and quoted from the Bhagwad Gita the words of Sri Krishna on aspiring for knowledge. 

He further said, "Our district is full of generous people and is known for harmony among different communities. This is the fruit of knowledge as most of our population is literate." He urged the gathering and the citizens to involve themselves in welfare programmes in addition to the government's programmes. He also wished well and assured his support to the organization.

Moulana Hafeez Mohammed Yunus Udupi blessed the Foundation and appreciated the initiative. He quoted from the Quran that people need to extend their hand in charity.

Fr William Martis blessed the children and advised them to use the funds given to them purely  for educational purposes. He stressed that the help rendered to the students has been made possible only by donations collected by the members of the organization.  He shared his personal experiences in collecting the donations, and in that respect, he appreciated the efforts of the members of the Foundation.

The chief guest, Dr Neri Cornelio in his speech appreciated the commitment and hard work the members of the Foundation have been putting in. He said that he has closely observed and supported the activities of the Foundation by making available the services of the Post Graduate Students of his college in their programmes, such as educating the children of the slum dwellers of Udupi.

The president of the foundation, Donald Saldanha expressed his gratitude to all the donors for their financial help.  Maxim Saldana proposed the vote of thanks. The program was  conducted by Bharadwaj of Vidyaniketan School.

Lunch was hosted for all the people gathered and the programme concluded with a cultural programme presented by the  members of 'Natyanjali', Chitpady, Udupi.