The Udupi-based Yakshagana Kalaranga on Saturday, handed over possession of the 95th house constructed under Kalaranga’s Vidyaposhak Scheme to II Pre-University student Sinchana.
The house, constructed with donations by five philanthropists in Keradi village of Kundapur taluk of Udupi district, is named “Pancham,” the Kalaranga said in a press release.
Under the scheme, the Kalaranga, since last 17 years, has provided scholarship amounting to ₹7.74 crore to 4,153 meritorious students. Using funds by donors, the Kalaranga has been constructing houses for financially weak meritorious students, who are living in dilapidated and thatched roof houses.
Secretary of Kalaranga, Murali Kadekar, said Sinchana was among the meritorious students identified by Kalaranga volunteers about the need of a new house. Following application, the Kalaranga volunteers personally visit the dwelling of students and recommend for new houses. The Vidyaposhak scheme was for meritorious Class 10 students, who have studied in Kannada medium. New applications related to Class 10 students have come and its scrutiny will start shortly, Mr. Kadekar said.
Construction of five more houses was nearing completion. The 100th house will be given to a meritorious student by the end of June. In the 2025-26 financial year, the Kalaranga has constructed 24 new houses to students, Mr. Kadekar said.
Inaugurating the programme, entrepreneur and philanthropist Keradi Chandrashekhara Shetty congratulated Kalaranga for its initiative to support economically weaker meritorious students. Stating that he would suppot such initiatives, Mr. Shetty urged Sinchana to study well and be in such a position to help students placed similarly to her.
House sponsors architect Yogishchandra Dhar from A. G. Associates, engineer M. Gopal Bhat, engineer Panduranga Achar from Span Associates, engineer Hariprasad Shetty from Padmashree Constructions and engineer P. N. Shashidhar from Malavika Constructions spoke. Kalaranga vice-president V. G. Shetty and others were present.