Udupi, Jan 14: K K Pai, registrar of Manipal Academy of General Education and ex-chairman of Syndicate Bank,  breathed his last today at the KMC Hospital Manipal, where he was undergoing treatment since the last two weeks. He had developed health complications and was hospitalized. He was 87.

The body of Pai, who was also actively involved with the development of Konkani,  will be kept for public viewing at M G M College here from 10 am to 2 pm on Thursday January 15. Cremation will take place thereafter.

Kalsanka Kamalaksha Pai, who later came to be popularly known as K K Pai,was born on June 26, 1921. He completed his Bachelor of Commerce degree from Sydenham College of Commerce and Economics Mumbai.

During his illustrious career in Syndicate Bank, Pai was exposed to all the fields of banking like foreign exchange, advances, personnel administration etc., and underwent several trainings both in India and abroad. He became the chairman and managing director of the bank on December 1, 1972.

Pai got elected to Udupi municipal council several times. He functioned as municipal councillor for 14 years and president of the council for five years. He continued to have long and strong association with Manipal Pai family even after retiring from Syndicate Bank and headed various educational and charitable institutions run by the Manipal Group.

An award titled K K Pai National Banking Award, being given annually to eminent bankers of the country, was  instituted by K K Pai Trust several years ago. Pai worked as the president of T M A Pai Foundation that runs educational institutions like Upendra Pai Memorial College and Vaikunta Baliga College of Law in Udupi. He was also the chairman of the governing council of T A Pai Management Institute Manipal, which is one of the leading  management institutes of the country.

Pai was the president of the Udupi-Manipal centre of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. He had also functioned as the director of ICDS Ltd., He also was the secretary of Kashi Math Welfare Fund, an all India body working for the welfare of Gowda Saraswat Brahmins.

Pai was the president of the Kannada Sammelan held in New Delhi on April 5, 2008. He was actively involved with the spreading of  Konkani language and culture. Pai was very helpful and was accessible for every one who sought his help.

Pai is survived by sons Arvind Pai, a doctor settled in USA and Suresh Pai, an industrialist in Manipal as well as two daughters, Geetha Kamath whose husband is a leading psychiatrist in USA and Sudha Prabhu, who is also married to a doctor settled in USA. His wife Suguna Pai, who was the sister of the late T A Pai, former union minister, expired about three years ago.

Kundapur, Jan 10: Social Justice is not the prerogative of a few at the top but of the people at the bottom of the social hierarchy. Unfortunately, the reality at the ground level is quite contrary to the intentions of founders of our constitution, opined MLC Kota Srinivas Poojary.

Speaking of a special function convened for the distribution of funds to the beneficiaries belonging to the SC and  ST communities  under the aegis  of  the local Town Municipality and State financial corpus, Poojary  said, the existing system of reservation was defective, as evidenced by the fact that the scheduled tribes and backward communities have not yet been able to be on par with the national mainstream as far as financial and social status are concerned.  The concept of social justice envisioned during the independence of the country remains  unfulfilled, he pointed out.

About 54.60 lac rupees were distributed for the construction of houses and toilets, self-employment purposes and for the treatment of chronic diseases.  Mohandas Shenoy  Kundapur Town Municipality president,  presided over the function. Vice president  Nagaraj Kanchan, chief officer Rayappa and other members of the Municipal Council were present.

Kundapur, Jan 7: Inaugurating the special annual camp of Beary's First grade College Kody near here, K G Jagannath Rajaram Hebbar said that human life is made worth living only if it is spent for the betterment of others.  Chief guest of the inaugural function Premanand Shetty explained in his discourse, about the ways and means through which people can exercise control over their minds through five methods. The function was presided over by Sharada Devadiga, president of Koni gram panchayat, who welcomed the participants.

Dr G H Prabhakar Shetty who addressed the students, stressed that those who are disciplined and and work hard alone can  build a  strong and stable future for themselves.  Krishna Deva Karanth and Laxminarayana Hegde, who were present on the dais, later spoke to the students about the importance of the National Service Scheme (NSS) camp.

NSS Camp project director Sridhar Shetty gave an introductory speech. Srinivasa Hode, lecturer, monitored the programme. The school pupils leader Mithun Kumar Shetty proposed vote of thanks.

Brahmavar: Jan 4: “Karaval Milan”  a Non Profitable association of 19 Parishes from Kundapur and Kallianpur Varado  based in Dubai has organized a Day Long work shop “ Galphantlin Navalan ani Savalan ( “Opportunities and Challenges in the Gulf” ) at Hotel Ashraya , Brahmavar on 04.01.2009.

Episcopal Vicar of Udupi Region Fr Baptist Menezes inaugurated the workshop by lighting up the candles which were brought to stage by 19 represantatives of 19 parishes.Fr Peter Pinto – ICYM Director , Udupi Region , Jerry Dias - Proprietor of  Mandovi Builders , John Lewis –President – Christian help line , Ronald Nazareth – President Karaval Milan Dubai , Clarence Fernandes – Vice President Karaval Milan Dubai and Naveen D Souza President – Karaval Milan Local Unit were present on the Dias.

Karaval Milan President Ronald Nazareth welcomed the esteemed guestes and all the participants. Episcopal Vicar Fr Baptist Menezes while addressing the gathering informed that how our elders had made it to Gulf and the efforts and the hard work they had put in. He has further called on youth to make good use of opportunities.

One of the resource person Walter Nandalike, CEO and Chief Editor of Daiji World media shared his experience of Gulf and informed the audience about the discremency shown to Indians and Europeans in this part of the world.Further he has called on youth to make use of the opportunities which were available in Local Market.

As a resource peroson Fr Denis D’Sa – Director of Fr Muller’s Educational institutions highlighted the Impact of Gulf on Mangaloreans. He has shared both Pro and Cons of Gulf with Evidence.

Another resource person Kishore Gonsalves, an upcoming entrepreneur presented a detail report on present living condition at Gulf. He has covered all the aspects which were faced by a common man in Gulf including his Job, accommodation ,status etc.

Wilson D Sa an energetic entrepreneur in Dubai and Director of Karaval Milan has kept the participants on their toes with lively interacting with them. He stressed on how to be positive in life with different common examples.

During the Closing ceremony in the evening  Rev Fr G M Skaria- Vicar General SMS Brahmavar has presided over the function as chief guest along with Walter Nandalike, Ronald Nazareth – President Karaval Milan Dubai , Clarence Fernandes – Vice President Karaval Milan Dubai , Charles Mascarenhas – Founder President Karaval Milan and Naveen D Souza President – Karaval Milan Local Unit were present on the Dias.

Naveen D Souza welcomed the gathering and distinguished guests.  Clarence Fernandes – Vice President Karaval Milan has given a brief introduction of Karaval Milan and it’s website www.karavalmilan.com .

Famous singer Wilson Olivera for Winning Divo Sahitya Award for his contribution to Konkani Music, Vinay Lewis for winning the reality show “ Gulf Voice of Mangalore “ and Kishore Gonsalves fondly called as “Kishoo Barkur “ for his immence service to Barkur were felicitated by chief guest Rev Fr G M Skaria- Vicar General SMS Brahmavar .

Rev Fr G M Skaria in his speech called on youth to perform their duties religiously and sincerely whether it’s a small or big job. He prasied the efforts put by Karaval Milan to organize such a event which was required to the present youth.

Walter Nandalike unveiled the Karaval Milan's table calendar for the year 2009.

Clarence Fernandes proposed the vote of thanks and Vithori Karkal anchored the entire Programme.

Byndoor, Dec 26: The Christmas and New Year celebrations in Byndoor parish  turned into a public celebration with the coming together of people from all faiths.  The programme was organized by the Holy Cross Church and St Thomas School Byndoor.

The programme started with a prayer dance, followed by the cutting of the cake. Byndoor MLA Lakshminarayana, ex-MLA Gopal Poojary, Udupi zilla panchayat president Raju Poojary, renowned writer Chandrashekhar Holla, editor Anduka A S, officials of various departments, police officers, members of the taluk panchayat, zilla panchayat and the local gram panchayat, apart from religious leaders enthusiastically took part in the celebrations.

Dr Robert D'Souza delivered the Christmas message. The chief guests then extended their best wishes to the citizens. The school children then presented a programme of a variety of dances.

Fr Philip Mellivila welcomed. Fr Francis Cornelio, parish priest of Holy Cross Church Byndoor proposed vote of thanks. A festival dinner was organized by the parish on the occasion.