Restrain from Character Assassination of Dr Mohan Alva, Let Truth Prevail – Fr Gomes

Restrain from Character Assassination of Dr Mohan Alva, Let truth prevail and Guilty be Punished – Fr Gomes during Massive Support Meet

Moodbidri: The well-wishers of Dr Mohan Alva organised a Massive Support Meet at the Swaraj Maidan here on August 12.

Convenor of the programme Amarnath Shetty welcomed the gathering. A minute of silence was observed to the departed soul of Kavya Poojary.

Addressing the gathering Amarnath Shetty said, “Dr Mohan Alva has brought name and fame to Moodbidri. If Moodbidri has developed, it is because of Dr Mohan Alva. Some of the media are passing the judgement on Kavya’s death. If the media gives the Judgement, why do we have the Police or Court? Dr Mohan Alva has adopted 2700 students under the sport’s quota and is giving free education to them. Let any of the college come forward and say that they provide the same facilities. Dr Mohan Alva is a very humble and down to earth person. Many people are criticising Dr Mohan Alva without understanding the reality, we pray for them. Dr Mohan Alva works 24×7 to run the institution. Some people are involved in the character assassination of Dr Mohan Alva even after he has openly said that he is ready for any investigation.”

Mulky Parish Priest Fr Francis Gomes, Dr Yashovarma, Dr A J Shetty, Dr Manjunath Bhandary, Vaidehi, Col I N Rai, Prof M V Puranik, Sundar G Acharya, Vijaynath Vittal Shetty, Sahana Poojary, Jayaram Shetty, Sabitha Monis, Yashwanth Mendon, old students of Alva’s Anirudh from Tumkur, former municipal member of Mandya, Ambujamma and others were also present.

Addressing the gathering Fr Francis Gomes said, “On July 20th a 10th standard student committed suicide but some people are accusing Dr Mohan Alva. The police are investigating the case and the truth will prevail soon. Some people are involved in the character assassination of Dr Mohan Alva character which is condemnable. Dr Mohan Alva has expressed his readiness for any inquiry from the beginning, but still, from past two weeks Dr Mohan Alva is being targeted.”

Recalling his experience with Dr Mohan Alva, Dr Gomes said, “I know Dr Mohan Alva from the past 35 years. In 1984, when we adopted some students under the sports quota, Dr Mohan Alva carried oranges in sacks for the students. His wife late Shobha asked me Fr why is my husband carrying oranges to students in sacks when he has not brought a single orange to his sons. I was speechless and unable to answer her question. Dr Mohan Alva loved his students and was taking special care of them. But there are some people who are taking Kavya’s death as a reason and are involved in the character assassination of Dr Mohan Alva. Dr Mohan Alva has done wonders in Moodbidri and turned it into an education hub. Whatever he has touched has turned into gold. Let he be Victorious. Let truth prevail and the guilty be punished.”

Addressing the gathering Chancellor of Yenepoya University Abdudllah Kunhi said, “I know Dr Mohan Alva from many years. He is only concentrating in educating the youth by instilling discipline. In his Institution 26000 students are pursuing their education out of 4000 students are getting free education under various quotas. Yes, we have concern towards Kavya, who committed suicide but targeting Alva and trying to assassinate his character is not good. Many students are pursuing their education under sports quota and Kavya is one among them. If Mohan Alva was bad why the parents send their children to Alva’s that too 26,000 students. Without knowing the truth many are criticizing Dr Alva, in this critical time we should support him to boost his morale.”

Addressing the gathering Ganesh Kundapur said, “I have two daughters who have studied in Alva’s. My elder daughter Sneha is studying MBBS and she will be the first person to become a doctor from the Koraga community. My second daughter Sakshi also studied in Alva’s, with the guidance and encouragement from the institution Sakshi is joining  IIT iin Pune. She is also the first person from the Koraga community to join IIT. Vidyagiri is the safest place and thousands of students come here to pursue their education. Whatever happened with Kavya is painful but for Kavya’s death blaming Dr Mohan Alva is unjust. As a father of two daughters, I know how safe Alva’s institution is. Today it is only because of Dr Mohan Alva my daughters have secured respect in the society. Dr Mohan Alva respects our culture and has encouraged us by inviting our community to perform in the Nudisiri. Even during that time too, some people had highlighted Dr Mohan Alva in bad light. We are with Dr Mohan Alva. Let a proper investigation be done and let truth prevail.”

Col I N Rai speaking on the occasion said, “There is a deliberate attempt to malign the name of a very prestigious Institute and Dr Mohan Alva. Dr Mohan Alva is showing his commitment to the nation instilling a sense of patriotism in the young minds. At present Dr Mohan Alva is passing through the Agni Pariksha, let he be victorious, we all are with Dr Alva and pray for him.”

International Athlete Sahana Kumari speaking on the occasion said, “Through Alva’s Education Foundation thousands of Athletes have shined in the national and international level. Dr Mohan Alva has encouraged many students who are good in sports. Kavya also joined Alva’s before one month under the sports Quota and she was getting free education there. Dr Mohan Alva has developed Moodbidri and he is known throughout the world. Who are we to criticize such a great person? He has been encouraging athletes by spending huge amounts for training so that they can shine in their respective sport and bring laurels to the Institution, state and country making their parents proud. I know what kind of person Dr Mohan Alva is and I support him in his time of need. People do not support good people that is the tragedy in our society. In Alva’s 50 percent of the students belonging to the Billawa community pursue their education. Dr Mohan Alva has never discriminated in the lines of caste or religion, then why are some people bringing the caste here. Dr Mohan Alva is a very disciplined person and he wants the students to be disciplined in the campus. For those who are criticising Dr Mohan Alva we want to show them that we are with him”.

Chairman of Sri Devi Education Trust Sadananda Shetty said, “To start an educational institution is easy but to maintain a Residential school is very difficult. Dr Mohan Alva is taking care of 26000 students which is commendable. Instead of appreciating his achievements, some people are trying to defame him so that he gives up everything. Some people are bringing caste in this issue, why do we have to bring caste in the Kavya suicide case. Police are investigating the case and the truth will come out. Recently the chairperson of the Expert Committee on Preventing Sexual Violence against Women and Children MLC V S Ugrappa, was in town to find faults in Alva’s institutions and Ugrappa also advised Dr Mohan Alva. Normally in every Institution something or the other is lacking but while criticising one should also consider the achievements of the person.”

An old Student of Alva’s Anirudh who is also blind, speaking on the occasion said, “I am blind and cannot see through both the eyes but I am not a blind believer. I have the common sense to judge a person. I am not praising any person, but if a person is worthy to be praised I praise the person. Dr Mohan Alva is not an actor or has he acted in any movie, but the support he gets from people one can understand what kind of a person he is. Many have criticised Dr Mohan Alva and we need to fight back by raising our voice. The media has been highlighting the suicide of Kavya and other students, but no action has been taken to prevent them. The government should take the initiative to start motivational classes in every institution to prevent suicides”.

Physically Challenged Sabitha Monis who is an old student of Alva’s said, “Dr Mohan Alva is a good person and he is taking care of 26000 students in the campus. If any student feels sick he used to sit with them and guide them to go to the doctor. Even when the parents of students from outside district or state visit the campus he was providing them with food. I feel hurt because Dr Mohan Alva has given me the education. Today because of Dr Mohan Alva I am earning my livelihood. I request the people not to give heed to false rumours against Dr Mohan Alva. Let us all support him”.

NITTE University Chancellor, Dr Vinay Hegde in his presidential address said, “Dr Alva is a legend and what he has achieved today in the field of education, culture and sports is not possible by us. Unfortunately, today he is made the victim of this incident. People commenting on the basis of caste, religion and political grounds is a matter of worry’. A Proper investigation should be done and truth should come out to prove fallacious things cannot sustain for a longer time. He added and said, it is really a bad example of the society, where honest people are made scapegoats of a situation. People should encourage good things which happen in their surroundings rather than indulge in tarnishing the image of people who do better for the society”.

Well-known Writer Vydehi said, “People are taking advantage of the situation and building a false image in the society, which is a temporary phenomenon. One who does good for the society always faces such bitter experiences in their life and Dr Alva is on the same track and he will definitely come out of this”.

SDM Educational Society Secretary Dr Yashovarma said, “It is very painful to witness the society using harmful or abusive words to blemish the personality of others. It is high time to think before using such derogatory terms. Moreover, Dr Alva will never support injustice and irregularities. The government should make proper law in connection with running hostels and schools to avoid unnecessary confusion, he added.

Prof M B Puranik, Kasargod Chinna, Ajith Kumar Rai Maladi and others also spoke on the occasion. Vijaynath Vittal Shetty, Manjunath Bhandary, Suresh Bhandary, Sundar G Acharya, Former Mandya Municipal member Ambujamma, Yashwanth Mendon and others were also present.