Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) President Ranjan R Pai, on June 16, promised to sponsor 50 houses, 10 per year, to be constructed by Yakshagana Kala Ranga, Udupi, and handed over to the families of poor meritorious students and Yakshagana artists.

Dr. Pai was speaking after visiting Kalaranga’s new building, Infosys Foundation Yakshagana Development, Training and Research Centre in Udupi. After going through the building and watching a documentary at the auditorium, he lauded the gesture of the Kalaranga in getting houses constructed and donated to poor meritorious students and Yakshagana artists without any fanfare.

MAHE, Dr. Pai said, would sponsor 10 such houses every year for five years.

Kalaranga President Gangadhara Rao, in his introductory address, recalled the financial support of MAHE extended to the Kalaranga while buying the site for its building and for maintaining the building. Secretary Murali Kadekar informed the meeting about the work to be done in the coming days at the Centre. Manipal hospitals and education institutions established by T M A Pai were nurtured by Ramadas Pai, and got expanded across the Globe by Dr. Ranjan pai, he noted.

MAHE Pro Chancellor H S Ballal said the university has been supporting meritorious students by granting financial support. MAHE would stand with the Yakshagana Kalaranga too, he said.

Dr. Pai and Dr. Ballal were felicitated on the occasion.

Kalaranga immediate past president K Ganesh Rao, vice-presidents P. Kishan Hegde and V. G. Shetty, treasurer K. Sadashiva Rao and others were present.

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