Doctorates to eminent citizens approved

Shivamogga/Mysuru: Governor Vajubhai Vala, chancellor of Kuvempu University, has approved of two personalities to get honorary doctorate of letters during its 26th convocation on Thursday.
VC Jogan Shankar said the governor, as per his new directions and guidelines, has cleared only two names out of those recommended by the special committee.
He said SV Subramanyam, a noted industrialist and social worker of Shivamogga, dedicated to providing free education and training to poor, visually challenged children through the Sharada Devi Andhara Vikas Kendra since four decades, will also receive an honorary degree from the governor.
Another recipient is Dr Lakshminarayan Venkataramana of Mysuru, who served as the personal physician of literary laureate Kuvempu for a decade, is still serving the public and creating awareness among people about health. He has penned three books on medicine.
Dr Lakshminarayan, 71, who practices in the city, said he is happy for the recognition. "It is my pleasure to receive an honorary doctorate from Kuvempu University, just like it was an honour to take care of the poet laureate," he stated.
Lakshminarayan, who was born in Kaanapali bordering Andhra Pradesh, came to Mysuru to pursue his studies when he was 18. He studied medicine at Mysuru Medical College and Research Institute. After his graduation, he started practicing in the city when a senior doctor asked him to treat Kuvempu, something he did religiously for a decade from 1984. "I had a special relationship with Kuvempu. I developed an interest in Kannada literature from his association. I didn't know Kannada much, but spending time with the legendary poet inspired me to learn Kannada and pen books too," he stated.
According to Lakshminarayan, Kuvempu didn't like to consult doctors but liked his approach of treatment as he developed an interest in literature.
During the convocation, 14 boys and 54 girls will share 122 gold medals. Rohit RD and Rani KN, MA (Kannada) students at the Government First Grade College in Kadur in Chikkamagaluru, have bagged six gold medals each. A total of 12,693 students will receive degrees at the convocation.