Special Care, Compassion Can Shape a Special Future for Differently-Abled Children: D. Veerendra Heggade

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Belthangady : Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari D. Veerendra Heggade observed that specially-abled children are capable just like other children. He stated that the love, compassion, and patience of their family and companions are fundamental to their development and progress.

He was speaking after lighting the lamp at the Silver Jubilee celebration of the S.D.M. Mangalajyothi Integrated School (administered by S.D.M. Educational Institutions (R.) Ujire) in Vamanjoor, Mangaluru.

The Fulfillment of a Vision
Mr. Heggade remarked that the dream envisioned fifty years ago by the late Mohini Appaji Naik is now being realized. Today, the children of Mangalajyothi School are leaving their mark in various fields like academics and arts, which was the core aspiration of establishing an integrated school.

He also stressed that the educational efforts of these children must be rewarded. “We must encourage and provide employment opportunities to differently-abled children when they become eligible for jobs after completing their education,” he added.

🫂 Mainstreaming Differently-Abled Children is Our Collective Responsibility – Dr. Mohan Alva
Dr. M. Mohan Alva, President of Alva’s Education Foundation, Moodabidre, offered his wishes, stating that everyone must be sensitive so that children with physical limitations do not develop an inferiority complex and become one of us. Integrated schools like S.D.M. Mangalajyothi foster coexistence and compassion in society.

Dr. Alva recalled that the concept of an integrated school established by the late Mohini Naik, with the goal of providing inclusive education and plucking the roots of inferiority complex from childhood, is a model praised globally. He expressed delight that when D. Veerendra Heggade took over the responsibility of the school, it flourished into the ‘Mangalajyothi’ (Light of Life) for differently-abled children and is now celebrating its 25th anniversary.

A Living Testament to Humanity – Dr. Y. Bharath Shetty
Dr. Y. Bharath Shetty, MLA of Mangaluru North Constituency, presided over the function. He said that S.D.M. Mangalajyothi Integrated School is a living testament that humanity is still alive in the present era, highlighting the philosophy that humans should care for one another. He opined that when we accept the differently-abled with patience, love, and compassion, we nurture the very existence of humanity.

Felicitations and Key Releases
The event was graced by special guests, including former Mangaluru City Corporation Mayor Bhaskar K and Raghavendra S. Bhat, Managing Director and CEO of Karnataka Bank Headquarters, Mangaluru, who extended their best wishes.

Several dignitaries were felicitated during the programme, including Smt. Sujatha R. Shetty (daughter of Founder Mohini A. Naik), A. Kishore Rao, Prof. A. Rajendra Shetty, Balakrishna Ale, Prakashchandra Shetty, and Dr. K. Devaraj, among others.

The function also saw the unveiling of the statue of the Founder, late Mohini A. Naik, and the release of the Silver Jubilee commemorative magazine, titled ‘Belli Teru’ (Silver Chariot). The event was attended by Dr. Satishchandra S, Secretary of S.D.M. Educational Institutions (R.), Ujire, and other members of the SDM management.