Yashodhara Bangera
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Aug 12: Moodbidri's Swaraj Maidan here on Saturday August 12 witnessed a massive gathering in support of Alva's Education Foundation and its chairman Dr Mohan Alva in the wake of criticism and allegations from various quarters over the death of Kavya, a student of Alva's high school last month. The public meet was organised by Mohan Alva's supporters, with former minister Amarnath Shetty as the convenor.

Addressing the gathering, chairman of Nitte Education Trust Vinay Hegde, who presided over the programme, said, "Kavya's death should reach its logical conclusion within the framework of law. Instead, it has turned into a political consipiracy to defame Dr Mohan Alva and his institution and gain political mileage. Those who are questioning the hostel facilities in Alva's institutions should first look at the condition of government-run hostels in the state.

"It is natural for things to go wrong in a system, but when someone falls, one should lend a helping hand to set things right instead of pushing him down further and giving wrong message to society solely out of jealousy. The public should not support undesirable developments and should join hands to build a society where truth alone is paramount," he said.

Veteran literary figure and former vice-chancellor of Hampi University Dr B A Vivek Rai said, "Creating rumours and using media to spread them with the intention of slandering an institution is a matter of great concern and worry. Alva's institution is model for the state government which is mulling introduction of a separate cultural policy. This institution has opened up job opportunities for students across communities and provided an atmosphere of learning, and if you do an audit of the instiution in these terms, you will realize the greatness of its achievements. We must ensure that such a renowned instiution does not lose the confidence it has built among people."

Senior writer Vaidehi said, "Dr Mohan Alva's nature and stature are in themselves his support. Kavya's death has become an excuse for people who cannot bear his success. Opportunists who try to cook on the funeral fire should realize that death has a place of importance of its own. Why is the media sowing poisonous seeds for TRP and money?"

Fr Francis Gomes of Mulki parish said, "Do not pay heed to rumours. Media should uphold values and present facts without any hype or exaggeration. Dr Mohan Alva is a person who has helped fulfilled many dreams, and everything he has touched has turned into gold. This is just a low phase and will pass."

Former minister Amarnath Shetty and convenor of the programme in his welcome address pointed out that Dr Mohan Alva and his institution had done a lot for Moodbidri in the field of education, and etched Moodbidri's name at the national level in sports and culture. "Thousands of students are receiving free education in Alva's institutions under the sports quota. Has any other college given such facillities to students? Dr Mohan Alva has worked hard day and night for the welfare of students. He is a humble man who has achieved a lot. People should stop character assassination without even knowing him.

"Dr Alva has already said that he is ready for any probe. Still, media channels are running the stories and giving judgements. If media can give judgements, then why do we have courts? Media should leave the probe to the police and the court. We are not against people who are staging protests, as they do not have sufficient intellect to understand the matter. Will those who have come forward to probe the facilities in the institution, instead of the case itself, be ready for such an investigation at the state level?" he added.

Chancellor of Yenepoya University Y Abdulla Kunhi said that he has known Dr Alva for 40 years and has seen him grow into an educationist. "Kavya was a talented girl and her death has brought as much grief to the institution as it has to her family. There is no doubt about that. The investigation has been taken up by the authority concerned and truth will soon come out. But it is not right to malign Alva and spread rumours. Thousands of students obtain education here. If it was not a good institution, why would parents send their children here? Mohan Alva's aim has always been to provide education, do good to the poor, and encourage sportspersons."

Brigadier I N Rai said that Dr Alva is one of those rare educationists who has instilled a sense of patriotism in youngsters and who has encouraged them to join the armed forces.

Secretary of Alva's institution Dr B Yashovarma, chairman of Shree Devi Education Foundation A Sadananda Shetty and Buntara Matr Sangha president Ajith Kumar Malady also spoke.

Manjunath Bhandary of Sahyadri Group of Institutions, Kuldeep M of Moodbidri Chowtara Aramane, convenor of Sharada Vidyalaya M B Puranik, Jayaram Shetty of Jnansudha Institution, international athlete Sahana Poojary and many others including former students of Alva's instiutions were present.

Prior to the programme, a minute's silence was observed to pray for Kavya.

The following resolution was passed:

- Preventing spread of rumours by speeding up the probe
- Ensuring strict punishment to the guilty
- Appropriate action against those misleading the society
- A committee to keep a watch on those attacking individual freedom or spoiling the health of the society

Nearly 8,000 people participated in the public meet. Mangaluru Agricultural Society president K Krishnaraj Hegde proposed the vote of thanks. Kadri Navaneet Shetty compered and Diwakar Shetty read out the resolution passed during the meet.

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