KVN launched formally at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore

KVN launched formally at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore on 23rd June 2006.

The first official function of KVN was held in the Board Room of the
University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore. The occasion also
marked announcing the support by Arghyam Trust to enable KVN to support
two research fellowships.

Dr. M. N. Sheelavantar, Vice
Chancellor, UAS, Bangalore, who was the Chief Guest, commended the
formation of KVN and the support extended by Arghyam and said that such
efforts would go a long way in promoting agricultural education.

Mrs. Rohini Nilekani, Founder & Chairperson, Arghyam Trust &
Akshara Foundation and Guest of Honour of the evening, explained
Arghyam’s interest in promoting research related to conservation and
better utilization of water. Mr. S. Vishwanath from the Rainwater Club
who is associated with Arghyam briefed on some of the projects
initiated by Arghyam. Mrs Nilekani expressed her happiness in being
associated with KVN and the students of UAS in projects of national
importance and handed over a cheque to Dr. T. M. Manjunath, Managing
Trustee, KVN, in support of the research programs of two Ph. D.
students as a part of the Rs.5.48 lakhs donation to KVN.

Presiding over the function,
Dr. T. M. Manjunath explained the genesis and objectives of ‘Krishi
Vidya Nirantara.’ He highlighted that the mounting cost of education,
including agriculture, made it difficult for a vast majority of the
talented rural youth to meet even the minimum financial requirements to
pursue agricultural education at college level and mentioned that about
20% of the meritorious students discontinued their studies for want of
adequate financial resources. It is shocking and a serious concern to
all! Although there are some government scholarships and assistance,
these are very few and inadequate. Therefore, there is need for
additional financial resources - hence the birth of KVN in an effort to
fulfill this long-felt need. Indicating that the primary objective of
KVN is to build a substantial corpus fund, Dr. Manjunath appealed to
all the alumni of UAS, philanthropists and others to make generous
contribution to KVN so that it can be utilized to support the fees and
food expenses of deserving students so as to help them to complete
their education and also to support promising research projects of
national importance. He revealed that many alumni of UAS staying within
and outside the country have pledged their support to KVN.

Two Ph. D. students, Mr. Manohar and Miss Sridevi, who have been
awarded the first KVN-Arghyam fellowship in support their research
projects, briefly explained their objectives after their guides, Dr.
Shashidhar and Dr. Srinivasa Murthy, introduced them.

Dr. T. K. S. Gowda, Director
of Instruction (Post-Graduate Studies), UAS, explained the various
research activities, particularly related to water conservation, that
are being carried out at UAS. Dr. B. Raju, Registrar; Dr. T. K.
Prabhakara Setty, Director of Research; Dr. R. Govindan, Director of
Instruction (Agri.) and several other senior officials and Heads of
departments from UAS supplemented the information during the discussion
session. Ms Sunitha Nadhamuni, CEO, Arghyam, took active part in the
discussion, which was moderated by the Vice Chancellor.

Earlier, the function began with Dr. P. G. Chengappa, a KVN trustee,
welcoming the gathering, which included several key officers, staff and
students of UAS (B), members of the trust from KVN and Arghyam, and
other invitees. It concluded with vote of thanks by Mr. Shridhar
Paradkar, another KVN trustee. He particularly thanked Mrs. Rohini
Nilekani for her generous support to KVN and to Dr. Sheelavantar, VC,
for his encouragement and participation throughout the meeting. Mr.
Srikanta Murthy of KVN anchored the programme in chaste Kannada to the
delight of all present.