Mysuru: Gold medal-winning graduates, academically talented students and achievers from various fields were honoured at an event organised by Vishwamanava University of Mysore (UoM) Employees Forum (Vishwa Manava Mysuru Vishwavidyalaya Noukarara Vedike) in memory of veteran journalist Rajashekar Koti at EMRC auditorium in Manasagangothri recently.

 Speaking on the occasion, MLA K. Harishgowda lauded the Forum for upholding the Vishwamanava ideals of Kuvempu and urged them to continue their pro-social activities.

MLC Dr. D. Thimmaiah emphasised the importance of leading a meaningful and purposeful life, stating that being born as a human is accidental.

Krishnaraja MLA T.S. Srivatsa expressed concern over the decline in investigative journalism in recent years. He stressed that pro-social activities should not be the sole responsibility of media and called for public participation in  such initiatives. During the event, ‘Nava Vishwamanava Trust’ was inaugurated.

‘Andolana’ newspaper Managing Editor Rashmi Koti, Additional Deputy Commissioner Dr. P. Shivaraju, UoM Finance Officer K.S. Rekha, Sri Nataraja Pratishtana Special Officer Dr. S. Shivarajappa, senior journalist Amshi Prasanna Kumar and Social Work Department faculty Dr. H.P. Jyothi also addressed the gathering.

‘Rajashekar Koti’ memorial awardees

Several journalists, including K. Narasimhamurthy, M.T. Mahadev, R. Veerendra Prasad, B. Shekar Gopinatham, M.R. Satyanarayana, Ithichanda Ramesh Uthappa, Girish Hunsur and M.B. Pavan Murthy (Mysuru Mithra), along with press photographer K.H. Chandru and Additional Deputy Commissioner Dr. Shivaraju, were honoured with ‘Rajashekar Koti’ memorial award.

Gold medallists and achievers

The event also celebrated the achievements of outstanding students, including M.R. Bhumika — who bagged 21 gold medals in M.Sc. (Chemistry) and U.A. Kavyashri — who secured 16 gold medals in M.Tech.

Other gold medal winners: P.K. Sangeetha, N. Harshith, M.K. Srinivas, Spoorthi Mahesh, Basamma, A.N. Sumathi, and R. Devananda; PU high scorers: N. Rakshitha, U. Likhitashri, Nirmitha Mahesh, S. Bhumika, A.S. Prarthana, Likhita Kumaraswamy, S. Varun and M.P. Raksha.

Retired Yuvaraja College Principal Prof. M.K. Mahesh and Chamundi Hill Temple priest Lakshmeesh Sharma were also felicitated. UoM faculty Prof. M.S. Sapna, Forum President R. Vasudeva, Vice-President Bhaskar, Secretary S. Vinod, Treasurer K. Ganesh, Director B.S. Dinamani and other guests were present.