Udupi: Ankita, I PU student at Sri Durga Parameshwari temple PU college, Mandarthi, is set to step into her new home on Wednesday. This was made possible through the efforts of Yakshagana Kalaranga, an organisation that supports underprivileged students with academic promise. Ankita is a beneficiary of Vidya Poshak, a welfare initiative under Yakshagana Kalaranga that identifies students from economically weak backgrounds and extends educational and social support. The organisation also works through initiatives such as Yakshanidhi and Yakshashikshana to uplift children of Yakshagana artists and other marginalised families.
This is the 87th house to be handed over by Yakshagana Kalaranga to a deserving student with the support of donors, secretary of Yakshagana Kalaranga, Murali Kadekar said. He said that Kalaranga has a dedicated team that identifies promising students from underprivileged backgrounds, and connects them with donors willing to help. Already, 20 donors came forward to help, and 10 houses are under construction. This month, 4 houses are set for inauguration. Kalaranga president M Gangaghar Rao, a builder and engineer, is taking care of the construction of the houses, explained Kadekar. “For this particular project, retired lecturer Sooryanarayana Adiga and his wife sponsored the construction of a house at an approximate cost of Rs 6 lakh, to mark their golden wedding anniversary,” he said.Kadekar said that until recently, Ankita did not even own a mobile phone. Her family lived in a house in a deplorable condition, yet she managed to score 94% in her SSLC examination, and topped her school. Her father, a daily-wage labourer, is unable to work due to neurological issues, and her mother supports the family by working as a daily wager. “During heavy rains and strong winds, the sheet roofing of their house was completely damaged, making living conditions unsafe for the family,” he said. Further, Kadekar said the initiative rises above barriers of caste and religion. “We even saw seers come forward to sponsor the construction,” he added.
