Dr. Kalmadi Shamarao is celebrating its Golden Jubilee this year. 2021 marked the completion of 50 glorious years of this institution. However, the celebrations had to be postponed by a year due to the country-wide restrictions in the wake of the pandemic.
The Golden Jubilee function was held on the 12th of October. The chief minister of Karnataka, Shri Basavaraj Bommai, was invited as the chief guest. He had to unfortunately cancel due to previous commitments.
Dr. S.B Mujumdar, founder – president of the symbiosis society and chancellor of the symbiosis international university graciously stepped in as the Chief guest.
Mr. Suresh Kalmadi – former Member of Parliament and former minister of state for railways and life member of the Kannada Sangha was invited as the guest of honor.
The Jagannath Shetty Auditorium on the campus was packed to capacity with special invitees, alumni of KHS such as National Award winner Rahul Deshpande, past and present staff and students.
Shri Basavaraj Bommai sent a warm congratulatory video and an email message from him was read out to the audience. He appreciated the contribution of Dr. K.S Rao and others in setting up a Kannada medium school outside the state of Karnataka and doing their bit to ensure that the language and culture of Kannada flourish in the actions of the Kannada Sangha.
A short cultural programme was also presented including an opening dance in Bharatnatyam and Kathak, Kannada songs.
Most of the Management of the Kannada Sangha were present on the happy occasion. The President of the Kannada Sangha, Mr. Hegde and the secretary, Mrs. Malathi Kalmadi addressed the audience and shared their thoughts on the journey of the school over 50 years. Mr. Hegde welcomed the Chief guest and Guest of honour with a Puneri Pagdi, a shawl and a statue of the famed Dagdusheth Ganpati.
The former and current principals of the pre-primary, primary and secondary sections were felicitated by Dr. Mujumdar and Mr. Suresh Kalmadi.
The past principals included Mrs. Vimla Rao, Mrs. Devika Nadig, Dr. Mrs. Bhramara Satyanarayan, Mrs. Sumathi Srinivasan and Mrs. Kamini Saxena.
The current principals of the pre-primary, primary and secondary sections of Dr. Kalmadi Shamarao High School are Mrs. Shilpa Kher, Mrs. Jyothi Kadkol and Mrs. Pallavi Naik in that order.
Rahul Deshpande, recipient of the recent 68th National award for the best playback singer for the film Mee Vasantrao, was felicitated as a representative of the alumni body of KHS.
In his speech, Dr. Mujumdar, the chief guest, lauded the contribution of teachers in shaping generations of students. He also articulated a goal of the Kaveri group of institutes becoming a university in the future. Mr. Suresh Kalmadi also congratulated the school on the milestone and exhorted the parents to support the school in all its endeavors.