Mangaluru: Public condolence meeting held to honour Nitte University Chancellor N Vinaya Hegde

On 21st July, 2023, a public commemoration for the late Mr. N Vinaya Hegde, who was the founding member of Nitte Group of Educational Institutions and Chancellor of Nitte Deemed University, was held at Sharada Vidyalaya, Mangaluru at the request of the Bishop of Mangaluru Diocese, Rt Rev Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha.

The Bishop presented a floral tribute to Mr.Vinaya Hegde and spoke of the many ways he exemplified true humility, saying: "Mr.Vinaya Hegde was true to his name". The Bishop encouraged those in attendance to follow Mr.Vinaya Hegde's example and make it their own as they work on behalf of the nation. He prayed for peace to the departed soul.

Ex, Vice Chancellor Prof B.A. Viveka Rai said that it was Vinaya Hegde who made Nitte not just a small village but a successful education hub. He said that through the institutions Hegde had set up, thousands had found the right path which resulted in a huge educational revolution along the coast. He said the locality had lost a great leader and that there is no one to take Vinaya Hegde's place and urged people to take his values in their own lives.

Kanchuru Educational Institutions Chairman U.K. Monu reminisced about his association with Vinaya Hegde for the last 25 years and mentioned that Hegde was always a source of support without expecting anything in return. Monu said Hegdes contributions were instrumental in the advancement of their institution. Tribute to Vinaya Hegde were paid by MLA Vedavyas Kamath, Prof M.B. Puranik, Prabhakar Sharma (retired ADC), and Capt Ganesh Karnik (ex, Legislative Council member), among others. In addition to these, a number of dignitaries gathered for the occasion, such as Karnataka Bank Chairman Raghavendra S. Bhat, Nitte University Vice, Chancellor Dr Satish Kumar Bhandary, Mangaluru Diocese PRO Roy Castelino, Kasapa president (ex.) Harikrishna Punaroor, Karnataka Bank chairman (ex.) Mahabaleshwara M.S., MLC (ex.) Monappa Bhandary, Mayor (ex.) M. Shashidhar Hegde and many more. The vote of thanks was delivered by Pradeep Kumar Kalkoor who also greeted the gathering. Dayananda Katilu was the master of ceremonies for the programme.