Mysore/Mysuru: Former IAS Officer M.K. Shankarlingegowda inaugurated the city’s K.H. Ramaiah Hostel Alumni Association at a programme organised at Vidyavardhaka College on Seshadri Iyer Road in city on Sunday. K.H. Ramaiah Hostel is located on Second Main Road in Vontikoppal.

Speaking on the occasion, Shankarlingegowda said that conventional education will not be of much help to students in this fast changing world where new developments are taking place in Science and Technology every other day. Stressing on the need for acquiring latest skills apart from having Graduate or Post-Graduate degrees, he observed that it is equally important to have good communication skills and excellence  in use of technology. He also recalled his stay in the Hostel during his student days.

Association President Dr. P. Boregowda, a retired bureaucrat, in his address, said that the Krishik Sarvodaya Foundation in Vijayanagar will be conducting coaching classes for competitive exams.

Pointing out that Vontikoppal’s K.H. Ramaiah Hostel was established by N.G. Gujjegowda in 1937, he said that the Hostel began with just 12 students then. But the Hostel has grown by leaps and bounds over the years and at present there are more than 100 students in the Hostel. Many Alumni of the Hostel have served in top positions and have settled down in foreign countries, Dr. Boregowda added.

In commemoration of former MLA Prof. P.M. Chikkaboraiah, Alumni Association Members, who are above 75 years of age (Amruta Vayomaana), were felicitated on the occasion.

Those felicitated included Chikkamalaiah, Dr. Appajigowda, K. Madegowda, Dr. M.T. Govindegowda, H.S. Govindegowda, Lakkanna, Sannaningegowda, N.N. Nehru and Puttaswamy.

Retired  IPS Officer K.T. Balakrishna, who had served as Mysuru City Police Commissioner, Mangaluru Internal Security Division (ISD) SP Dr. A.N. Prakash Gowda, who had also served as Mysuru DCP, Bengaluru Urban District Special DC Balachandra, IT-BT Department Director Basavaraj, IPS Officer T.P. Shivakumar, Sarojamma Tulasidas Dasappa, wife of Late former Mysuru MP Tulasidas Dasappa, Vidyavardhaka Educational Institutions Secretary and former Mayor  P. Vishwanath, noted Humorist and Orator Prof. M. Krishnegowda, K.T. Krishnappa and others were present.

Also present were Association Vice-President Dr. Appajigowda, Secretary Kemparajegowda, Treasurer Dr. Chetan, Members H. Jayadeva, Dr. N. Nagaraju, Nagarajegowda, B.H. Devaraju, J. Swamy, N.R. Gowda, Dr. H.R. Thimmegowda, Hanumanthappa and others.