India’s cooperative sector functions alongside commercial banks and plays a significant role in the development and progress of Karnataka, said P.G.R. Sindhia, State Chief Commissioner of the Bharat Scouts and Guides and former Minister.
He was inaugurating the Meritorious Students Felicitation Ceremony, free distribution of notebooks and educational materials, and sapling distribution programme organized by Badagabettu Credit Co-operative Society Ltd. at the Udupi Town Hall on Saturday for students of Kannada-medium schools in Udupi district.
Addressing the gathering as chief guests were Udupi MLA Yashpal A. Suvarna, Ashok Kamath, Principal of the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), Udupi, and Sudheer Kumar J., Assistant Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Kundapura Sub-Division. Vidwan Damodar Sharma Barkur delivered the Special Lecture (Vishesha Upanyasa), highlighting the importance of education, cultural values, and character building in shaping the future of society.
During the programme, 24 meritorious students from Kannada-medium schools who excelled in the SSLC Examination 2025–26 were honoured with scholarships and merit awards worth over ₹5 lakh.
On the occasion, the Society distributed free notebooks to 45 Kannada-medium schools, school uniforms to 8 schools, financial assistance and educational aids to six students, and donated a computer system to Udupi Christian Pre-University College. Umbrellas were also distributed to school teachers. Altogether, educational assistance worth nearly ₹20 lakh was extended through the programme.
The programme was presided over by Jayakar Shetty Indrali, President of the Society, who welcomed the gathering.Among those present were Society Directors Purushothama Shetty, Manohar Shetty, Umanath, Jaya Shetty, and Gayathri Bhat, along with General Manager Rajesh V. Sherigar and Assistant Manager Praveen Kumar.
The programme was compered by Naveen K., Branch Manager of the Malpe Branch, and Samarth Shetty, Branch Manager of the Kundapura Branch.