Mangaluru : Well-known Kannada novelist Dr S L Bhyrappa, Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research (Bengaluru) Director Dr C N Manjunath and A J Group of Institutions Chairman A J Shetty will be felicitated with Honoris Causa degree at the 34th annual convocation of Mangalore University at 10 am on Wednesday .

Niti Aayog Member and DRDO former director general V K Saraswat will deliver the convocation address and Higher Education Minister and Pro Chancellor T B Jayachandra will present the degrees.

Bhyrappa has penned more than 25 novels which have been translated to several languages including English, Hindi, Sanskrit, Marathi, Urdu, Gujarathi, Telugu, Bengali and Tamil. Some of his novels have the unique distinction of seeing as high as 48 reprints within a short span of time after publication.

Films have been made based on his reputed works Vamshavriksha, Tabbaliyu Neenade Magane, Nayi Neralu and Mathadana.

A recipient of Padmashri award, Bhyrappa is one of the eight national professors in the country appointed by the Government of India.

Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research (Bengaluru) Director Dr C N Manjunath is a renowned cardiovascular surgeon who has developed the institute into one of the largest heart care destinations in the world.

He has the distinction of training American, British, Chinese and French cardiologists on balloon valvuloplasties at his institute. He has been instrumental in mobilising an amount of Rs 25 crore from charitable and philanthropic organisations to establish a Poor Patients’ Corpus Fund.

He is also instrumental in conducting about 1,000 open heart surgeries for needy patients with the support of charitable and philanthropic organisations. A Fellow of American College of Cardiology, Dr Manjunath is also the recipient of Padmashree award.

A J Group of Institutions’ Chairman A J Shetty is a well-known entrepreneur who has been running many institutions, especially in the field of medical sciences and allied fields.

The hospitals established by him are providing medical treatment and medicines freely to large number of poor patients. He is also managing a few charitable organisations like orphanages and old age homes and is also responsible for establishing cancer centre that treats about 100 patients per day at affordable cost. He is also promoting the local cultural heritage by encouraging Yakshagana as President of Dakshina Kannada Yakshagana Association.