Mysore/Mysuru: The first ‘Rotary Ivory-Meenakshi Scholarship for Girls’ was distributed to 12 meritorious girl students from various schools at an award ceremony at the National Institute of Engineering (NIE) recently.

Dr. M.S. Ranganath, President, National Institute of Engineering and Gouri Satya, Senior Journalist and Star of Mysore and Mysuru Mithra Columnist, presented Rs. 1.75 lakh scholarships to girls who belonged to economically weaker section.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Ranganath, who was the chief guest, emphasised that educated girls build stronger families, communities and economies.

He urged the recipients to use the opportunity to carve out a bright future and fulfill their professional aspirations.

 Gouri Satya, who was the guest of honour, recalled how his forefathers had served the cause of education, working as teachers and also served the community, which stands as one of the four principles of the Rotary movement.

He further said that by providing financial assistance to education, Rotary Ivory City Mysuru is not just supporting individual students but is investing in their future.

The ‘Rotary Ivory-Meenakshi Scholarship for Girls’ has been instituted by Prof. G. L. Shekar, a member of the Rotary Ivory City and former Principal of NIE and his wife Dr. Asha Shekar, Professor in JSS Medical College.

Prof. Shekar explained the objective of the endowment and remembered how his mother, Meenakshamma, was an inspiration in his life. The Club honoured Prof. Shekar and Dr. Asha Shekar for their gesture in helping financially weaker girls to continue their studies.

Girl students from Sarada Vilas PU College, Vijaya Vittala School, Satya Sai Baba PU College, Gopalaswamy Shishuvihara, Sri Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering and Maharaja Institute of Technology were awarded the scholarships.

Club President Rtn. Keshav B. Kanchan presided. Secretary Rtn. M. K. Mukesh proposed a vote of thanks.

Family members of Meenakshamma and G. L. Swamy, including G. Subbanarasimha, M.S. Lakshmana Rao and Jayanthi were present along with NIE Hon. Secretary S.B. Uday Shankar, NIE Principal Dr. K.C. Manjunath, Librarian Harish, SVEI Principals Dr. M. Devika and Ashok Kumar, senior Rotarians Sunil Baliga, Dr. M.K. Sachidanandan and R. Narasimha. Rtns. Thenmozhi Perumal, Pooja Baliga and Jyothi Mukesh conducted the award ceremony.