India can't be prosperous if people don't understand its Constitution: K'taka Minister Mahadevappa
Bengaluru: Karnataka Social Welfare Minister H C Mahadevappa has said a prosperous India cannot be built if people do not understand the Constitution properly. The minister spoke to PTI regarding the mega Constitution and National Unity Convention, which the Karnataka government is organising at the end of a month-long statewide constitution awareness campaign covering almost all the villages.
The convention will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at the Palace Grounds here. The Constitution awareness campaign was launched by the Karnataka government on January 26 to make citizens aware of their rights, responsibilities and duties to commemorate 75 years of the adoption of the Indian Constitution. There is no meaning to the freedom if economic and social independence is not provided to the people, the minister said. Since the objectives of the constitution have not been achieved even after 75 years of independence, economic and social inequality is visible everywhere, he pointed out. “If we do not understand the Constitution, how will we be able to build a prosperous India? The Constitution is not limited to SC/ST reservation alone. It is only an opportunity given to the downtrodden communities to elevate themselves.”
Mahadevappa noted that the objective behind organising the month long event was to educate people about the initiatives taken in the country to strengthen democracy. Expressing concern over rising communalism in the country, he said, "Sensitive matters and faith related topics are getting prominence in politics. People’s problems are sidelined and God and religions are taking the centrestage.” Mahadevappa stressed that the initiative was apolitical, secular, and casteless. It is being organised ‘to save constitution by spreading awareness about it. “If we save our constitution, then it will also save us,” he added. According to him, faith related matters are very personal, but today religion is being given prominence as the political parties work against the spirit of the Constitution. “If the political parties behave like this then who will protect the constitution?” Mahadevappa wondered.
After the Republic Day on January 26 this year, committees were formed comprising the deputy commissioners and the district in charge ministers, who were assigned duties. “We used tabloids, distributed pamphlets in over 6,000 Gram Panchayats, Town Panchayats and City Panchayats, conducted seminars, drama, dance, cultural events, debates and discussion at the school and college level all over the state to spread awareness about the constitution,” the minister explained. The campaign has covered about 5,400 Gram Panchayats and people from all walks of life participated in it.
According to officials in social welfare department, 1.35 lakh plastic bottles were used to make an art installation named “Namma Constitution” by the Tumakuru district administration. A large number of students came together to collect 1,35,000 empty water bottles and 305 members including Tumakuru deputy commissioner and Panchayat chief executive officer worked for over 15 days to put together the “Namma Constitution” installation in Kannada.
As part of the campaign, Chamarajanagara Milk Union Limited (ChaMUL) in association with Chamarajanagar district administration printed the awareness messages on all the milk packets supplied by the Milk Union. The messages read “Our Constitution, Our Pride. Let us celebrate the Constitution” in Kannada. It seeks to remind an estimated 5 lakh consumers about the importance of the Constitution every day. About 50 tableaux explaining citizen rights and duties and upholding the importance of the Constitution and national unity went around in each district of Karnataka. During the campaign, some women drew Rangoli in celebration, while hundreds of students read out excerpts from the Preamble to drive home the salient points of the Constitution.
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KMES Institutions shine in SSLC result, continue four-decade legacy of education in rural Karkala
Karkala: KMES Institutions of Education at Kukkundooru in Karkala taluk has recorded outstanding results in the 2025-26 SSLC and PUC examinations, continuing a four-decade educational journey that began with just 22 kindergarten students and no building of its own.
The institution secured a 100 per cent result in the SSLC examinations, with all 43 students passing the examination this year.
Muhammad Arman Shahid emerged as the school topper by scoring 619 marks out of 625, securing 99 per cent and also ranking sixth at the state level. He scored full marks in Kannada, Hindi, Mathematics and Social Science.
Krithika V. Nayak secured the second position in the school with 607 marks and 97.12 per cent, while Arhan stood third with 605 marks and 96.8 per cent.
Out of the 43 students, 21 passed with distinction, 19 secured first class, two students obtained second class and one student passed in third class. Fourteen students scored above 90 per cent.
The institution also performed strongly in the PUC examinations. The Science stream recorded a 100 per cent result, with all 44 students passing, while Commerce secured a 98 per cent pass percentage.
Twelve students scored full marks in different subjects, including Mathematics.
In Commerce, Deeksha Acharya topped the college with 588 marks, while Harshitha H. Kini secured the second position with 581 marks.
In Science, Naveen B. Nayak emerged as topper with 586 marks, followed closely by Sameeksha Moily and Aifa Nidha, who both secured 585 marks.
Speaking about the achievement, High School head teacher Shrimati Patkar said the institution has always focused on supporting academically weak students through affordable education and free special classes.
“Our ambition is to provide quality education even to students who struggle in studies. The fees are very low, and free coaching classes are conducted. I have worked here for 28 years and have always found the atmosphere supportive of education,” she said.
Primary School head teacher Lolita Zeena D’Silva appreciated the dedication of the teaching staff and said the school encourages students not only to achieve high marks but also to become role models.
PU College Principal Balakrishna Rao said the institution focuses on value-based education and overall personality development.
“The aim is to help students succeed not only academically but also in cultural activities, sports and leadership. We encourage qualities such as patience, tolerance and discipline,” he said.
Rao also credited the institution’s growth to the support of founders K.S. Mohammed Masood and K.S. Nissar Ahmed, along with President K.S. Imtiaz Ahmed.
Speaking on the occasion, Imtiaz Ahmed said the institution was built on the dream of making quality education accessible to financially backward families in rural areas.
He said the guidance and encouragement of his elder brothers, Mohammed Masood and Nissar Ahmed, along with the contribution of teachers, students and parents, helped transform the institution into a model educational centre.
The KMES Institutions trace their roots back to 1984, when they were founded by senior social activists Haji P.M. Khan, K.S. Nazeer Ahmed and Haji A.S. Rashid Haider.
The institution initially functioned from the Government Urdu School premises as it did not have a building of its own. Classes began with only 22 students in lower kindergarten and two teachers.
Later, under the leadership of K.S. Mohammed Masood and with continuous financial and moral support from non-resident businessman K.S. Nissar Ahmed, the institution gradually expanded.
In 1993, the school shifted to its own building and began conducting classes from LKG to Class 5.
As student admissions increased, Nissar Ahmed personally funded the construction of three additional classrooms to address infrastructure shortages.
The institution’s new school building was completed in 1997, while the PU College building was constructed in 2001.
From humble beginnings in a borrowed building to producing state-level rank holders and consistent academic results, the KMES Institutions have grown into one of the prominent educational centres in the Karkala region.
