Karnatak College, Dharwad (KCD), is is all set to celebrate its centenary, this year.

Karnatak University Dharwad (KUD)s Vice-Chancellor Pramod Gai told presspersons here on Thursday that the celebrations will begin at a function on Saturday.

The college was started following a popular demand in 1917. Since its inception, it has played a key role in helping the region’s youth have access to collegiate education. It has been planned to have year-long programmes to mark the occasion, he said.

Supreme Court Judge Mohan Shantangoudar will be the chief guest for the inaugural function of the centenary celebration. ISRO Chairman A.S. Kiran Kumar, Higher Education Minister Basavaraj Rayaraddi, Industries Minister R.V. Deshpande, RDPR Minister H.K. Patil, Labour Minister Santosh Lad and district in-charge Minister Vinay Kulkarni will take part in the programme. Plans to invite Chief Minister Siddaramaiah did not materialise due to his busy schedule.

The college, which had a handful of departments in the initial days, has witnessed tremendous growth and today it offers various courses. The student strength as on the date is over 5,000 at the undergraduate level. The college also offers postgraduate courses including Master of Arts in English, Economics, Master of Commerce, Master of Science in physics, chemistry and mathematics and Master of Tourism Administration, he added.

Prof. Gai stated that to make the centenary year memorable the university had planned a series of development works in the college.

Accordingly, it has submitted a proposal seeking Rs. 50 crore for the college. However, the State government has sanctioned Rs. 10 crore to the college of which Rs. 1.25 crore has been released, he said.

Construction of a ‘Centenary Hall’, renovation of Shriranga Open Air Theatre, launching of tree planting campaign, publication of 100 books to mark the centenary, release of souvenir ‘Ninada Smruti’, organising a lecture series, a week-long Karnatak University Inter-Collegiate and Inter-University cultural festival, special sports meet, film festival are some of the programmes planned. Mr. Rayaraddi, who is an alumnus of the college, has evinced keen interest in making the event meaningful.

Meanwhile, the Karnatak College Old Students’ Association has also chalked out plans for the year and has actively involved in the preparations, Mr. Gai added.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Karnataka / by Staff Reporter / Dharwad – November 24th, 2017