Udupi: The Arivu Kendra (Knowledge Centre) of Kadur gram panchayat in Udupi has been transformed into a vibrant study hub, offering a focused and supportive environment for students appearing for SSLC examinations. The initiative, led by former panchayat members, was born out of concern from parents who struggled to ensure a disciplined study routine for their children at home. Former GP president Jalandhar Shetty told TOI the idea took shape just about two weeks before the SSLC exams. “We conducted a survey to boost confidence among students appearing this year, but the feedback from parents was disappointing. Many said their children were spending time on activities like bhajane practice, cricket, and mobile phones instead of focusing on studies,” he said. This prompted the team to convert the Arivu Kendra library into a dedicated, supervised study space. Currently, around 32 students are making use of the facility, including 15 SSLC students, along with a few PU and high school students from classes 8 and 9.Shetty pointed out that many parents in the village are daily wage labourers who return home only by evening, making it difficult to monitor their children’s studies. “Parents told us they found it hard to get their children to sit and study. So we created a structured space where students gather every evening from 6pm and continue until 10.30pm or even 11pm,” he explained. The centre remains open on govt holidays as well. To make the environment more welcoming, snacks and malt are provided, and lunch is arranged when the facility operates during the day. Importantly, students are sent home only when their parents arrive, a move that has reassured families. The PDO and GP staff have extended support to the initiative, said Shetty. Former panchayat member Sathish Kulal, along with Shetty, personally supervises the centre, taking turns to stay late into the night until the last student leaves. Librarian Nagaveni manages the facility until 7.30pm. Parents have expressed satisfaction with the initiative, calling it a much-needed support system. Looking ahead, the team plans to strengthen the initiative further by appointing at least two permanent teachers in the next academic year. “We want to develop this into a model Arivu Kendra,” Shetty said. He said that the idea was inspired during interaction with participants in the national-level ‘Sarpanch Samvaad’ in Delhi last Sept. The larger vision, he noted, is to encourage more students from the village to aspire for govt jobs, an area where representation has been low. “With better guidance and facilities, we hope this centre will motivate more students to aim higher,” he said.
