KMC Hostelites celebrate 50 years of Kapri-Good-Days

Home Away from Home! KMC Men’s Hostel-Kaprigudda celebrates 50 Years of Kapri-Good-Days

Mangaluru: Quoting the words of poet Alfred Lord Tennyson, “For men may come and men may go, but I go on forever…”, KMC Men’s Hostel located at Kaprigudda in the City truly stands as a perfect example of this lyric. For the past 50 years, this hostel has reflected wonderful memories in the brook of time and will continue to do so. This Hostel has been like a “Home Away From Home” for thousands of medicos who are now excelling both at National and International platforms and has shaped their lives as a watchful guardian.

To commemorate and celebrate -50 years of camaraderie, love and affection; 50 years of garam chai and chaar baje vaali poori bhaji or goli baje; 50 years of last minute studies and junior-senior relationships, the management and hostelites of KMC Men’s Hostel-Kaprigudda hosted the “Golden Jubilee Celebrations” on Saturday, 16 April 2016 at the Hostel premises from 6.30 pm onwards. Prior to the commencement of the formal function, a commemorative plaque was unveiled at the hostel premises to mark this occasion by the chief guest Dr. H S Ballal, Pro-Chancellor of Manipal university, along with other dignitaries of the day.

The programme started with invoking God’s blessings through a prayer song rendered by Sridatree, Debdri and Arubarna, followed by welcome address by Dr M Venkat Rai Prabhu-Dean, Kasturba Medical College-Mangaluru. The occasion was inaugurated by lighting the traditional lamp by chief guest-Dr HS Ballal, along with other dignitaries on the dais namely Dr V Surendra Shetty-Pro-Vice Chancellor, Manipal University and Dr Dilip G Nayak-Dean, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangaluru. A brief overview of KMC Hostel-Kaprigudda was delivered in a witty style by Dr Dilip G Nayak.

Addressing the gathering, Dr V Surendra Shetty, who incidentally is also a silver jubilee neighbour of this hostel said, ” Being a close by neighbour of this prestigious hostel I have been closely associated with the warden and hostelites. With extreme makeover, this hostel looks very nice compared to what it was decades ago. This hostel has gained its name as one of the best hostels in the city, and many ex-hostelites who exited from here want to visit it again when they come down to Mangaluru. This hostel had been like their home away from home, with wardens and other staff taking good care of them. Learning is the beginning of wealth.Learning is the beginning of health. Learning is the beginning of spiritually. Searching and learning are where the miracle process all begins. These cozy and calm hostel rooms have provided ample opportunity for students to learn and grow, with their roommates. I can proudly say KMS Men’s Hostel-Kaprigudda is one of the finest hostels”.

A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination, add excellent oration and administration par excellence, the result is the dynamic pro-chancellor of Manipal University, who in his address to the august gathering said, ” When you share a room in a hostel it is a rare experience you will learn various cultures, food and traditions. You will also exchange your views and news, your ideas and plans. Since this hostel is getting old and congested, we will be constructing a state-of-the-art multi hostel in Attavar in the nearest future- but still this hostel will stay here at Kaprigudda as a landmark. Make good use of your hostel fun life, because once you exit it you won’t have that chance again. Have fun at KMC Hostel-Kaprigudda!”.

Also during the occasion, Dr. Laxman Pai, former Chief Warden of KMC Hostels Mangaluru, and Dr. Arunachalam Kumar, Former Warden Kaprigudda Men’s Hostel were felicitated with shawls, fruit basket, and mementos by the chief guest. After receiving the felicitations both of them spoke about the good old days life at the KMC hostels. Dr Arunchalam Kumar in a witty speech leaked out more bad things than good things that took place at KMC Hostel- Kaprigudda, like how hostelites used to smoke, drink, watch blue films, invite females to rooms, steal neighbours plants etc. Oh well, when you are young and stay in a hostel, you are tempted to do naughty things.

Dr Laxman Pai, is an MD in Microbiology but worked in the department of forensic medicine and was the HoD of forensic medicine at KMC-Mangaluru and Manipal simultaneously from the year 1980-1995. He was the vice-principal of KMC-Mangaluru, and the chief warden of KMC hostels, Mangaluru for many years. He was an exemplary administrator who left his mark on the management processes of KMC hostels-Mangaluru and he was extremely popular among students during his tenure as Chief Warden.

Dr Arunchalam Kumar is an MD in Anatomy and was the professor and HoD of Anatomy at KMC, Mangaluru from 2003-06. He was the former dean of KS Hegde Medical Academy, Mangaluru. He is currently the professor of Anatomy at Kanachur Institute of Medical Science, Mangaluru. He is a fabulous teacher, a mentor for many, a researcher, a writer and a genius to put it briefly. An excellent orator, a talented public speaker and an avid blogger, he is still remembered for maintaining a lively atmosphere at KMC Hostel-Kaprigudda as its warden. And today when this hostel celebrates its golden jubilee year, Kaprigudda hostel is rejuvenated by his presence here.

The winners in various contests were awarded prizes during the occasion by the chief guest. Since gratitude is believed to be the greatest of all virtues, Sushruta-the General Secretary of Hostel Council thanked everyone who made the golden jubilee celebrations happen. The entire event was professionally compered by Shubham DK and Astha Guliani. The formal function was followed by live music by college beat group to suit the theme ” Rhapsody 6.0″.

About the KMC Hostel-Kaprigudda:

The hostel was inaugurated way back in 1966 on Saturday, 29 January by the then Governor of Maharashtra, Dr P V Cherian in the presence of Padmashree the late Dr Tonse Madhav Ananth Pai, founder of the Manipal Group. It has remained a popular and known place in the city since then with hundreds of its former residents spread successfully across the country and globe. On 10 January 2008, Vasanthi R Pai, chairperson of the Hostels Committee of Manipal University inaugurated the renovated rooms and new dining hall with state-of-the-art facilities at the Hostel.The Hostel is WiFi enabled as well as has two Internet Centres apart from facilities for sports and entertainment. The several National and international students of Kasturba Medical College, and Manipal College of Dental Sciences reside at this hostel, which has about 500 rooms accommodating nearly 450 students every year.

Other than KMC Men’s Hostel at Kaprigudda, the hostels of the Manipal University at Mangaluru include the Nandgiri Ladies Hostel for undergraduates, the Falnir Men’s Hostel and Priya Ladies Hostel for doctors and post-graduate students. A separate hostel for boys and girls in the first year of their college has been set up at Bejai and Lalbagh to avoid any incidents of ragging as well as to provide a healthy environment for students to interact. A completely air conditioned hostel has been set up for students at Sturrock Road here. All hostels have been fitted with modern cooking gadgets in the kitchens.

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