Mangaluru: The Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), in association with Yakshagana Kalaranga, has launched an initiative to construct and donate houses to poor families whose children study in govt Kannada-medium schools across Udupi district.The initiative was launched on Thursday to mark the 91st birthday of Dr Ramdas M Pai, Padma Bhushan awardee and chancellor of MAHE.Under the programme, 50 affordable homes will be constructed over the next five years for families of deserving students. Beneficiaries will be selected based on defined eligibility criteria, with priority given to poor families.MAHE will oversee the construction and hand over the completed houses to the selected beneficiaries without imposing any financial burden on them.Launching the initiative, Dr Ranjan R Pai, president of the MAHE Trust, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to inclusive community development and social welfare. As part of the launch, house construction confirmation letters were handed over to two families.Dr HS Ballal, pro-chancellor, MAHE, said education could transform lives, but meaningful social development also required addressing the basic needs that enabled families to live with dignity and security.MAHE also announced the establishment of Dr TMA Pai Green Campus Excellence Awards to recognise educational institutions and industries that demonstrate exemplary commitment to sustainability, environmental stewardship, climate action and responsible campus development.The announcement was made during the inauguration of the seventh edition of the National Conference on Youth in Social Change, organised by the Volunteer Services Organisation (VSO) of MAHE in Manipal on Thursday.Dr HS Ballal said, “Today, we are launching a movement, one that encourages institutions and industries to place sustainability at the heart of progress.” The conference was organised to mark the 91st birthday of Dr Ramdas M Pai. This year’s edition focused on experiential learning, with the message, ‘This Year at Youth in Social Change, Learn a Skill for Life.’
