Brig Muthanna’s appeal for support for education of Kodagu children
This portal received an appeal from Brigadier Muthanna (in picture above) seeking donations for supporting the education of less privileged Kodavas. The letter is reproduced below:
My fellow Kodavas,
I am Kodendera Arjun Muthanna (son of Lt Col Kodendera Muthanna and Pattamada Ganga Muthanna). I am a Brigadier in the Indian Army and currently on deputation to Karnataka State Police in Bangalore, assisting them in developing Counter-Terrorism capability.
Recently I met a group of Kodavas who informed me that there are a very large number of Kodava children in Kodagu who are facing great difficulty in meeting expenditure for school (secondary and senior secondary) education – in terms of fees, books, uniforms and transport to and from school. Many children are dropping out of school. This in turn denies them equitable opportunities and would affect the well being of the entire Kodava community.
The reasons vary from small incomes from small holdings, low yields due to high rainfall in certain areas, lack of other resources to fund their education, fathers with no income due to various reasons. A great effort has been made to compile lists of these ‘under-privileged’ Kodava children with verification from school authorities and locals.
Around 4000 (yes! four thousand) children have been identified in 90 government- unaided schools and 70 government-aided schools. The fees for government-unaided schools is approximately Rs 5000/- (Rupees five thousand) per annum and for government-aided schools Rs 600/- (Rupees six hundred) per annum. In addition, there are costs for books, van fees and uniforms.
As part of the effort to help these ‘underprivileged’ children, a group of Kodavas are taking care of the fees of 100 students in 6 schools. The approach, so far, has been to establish contact in the school and identify a list of Kodava students that require assistance. A local Kodava coordinates and verifies the list. Contributions are made directly by cheques in favour of the school’s official bank account. The donor receives a letter from the school confirming that the amount has been received and that the fees of the beneficiary children have been paid.
Details of the schools and the recipients are known only to the persons coordinating the contribution. Details would be made available to the donor. The donor would have a chance to speak to the head of the school, visit the school and even meet the parents. Other contributions in the form of laptops and desktop computers (used and new) and books are being coordinated from various IT professionals (and companies) who dispose off old laptops and desktop computers after 3-4 years.
Some schools that have been assisted are:
1. Triveni School Virajpet, run by Kodava Samaj Virajpet. Fees of 25 students are met by donors, a school building worth Rs 8 lakhs has been constructed by one of the volunteers through her company.
2. Appacha Kavi School, run by Kodava Samaj Ponampet. Fees for 22 students are being contributed. A library would be set up and computers will reach them shortly.
3. General Thimmayya School, Madikeri, run by Kodava Samaj, Madikeri – Five laptops have been donated to the school. A list of students requiring assistance is available with the volunteers. Books for the library are on the pipe line.
4. Kakkabe School: Contributions for fees have been received.
5. Cheyandanne School: Contributions being collected.
Apart from this list of the above mentioned schools, there are list of other schools being compiled by the group of Kodavas. Fees of some students have already been paid, and contributions are being collected for others.
My personal experience: I have seen some lists. (A few family names I can recall are Udiyanda, Kodimanyanda, Boliyadira, Aiyanervanda). The lists have been issued by the school authorities with details of the children and parents. Our local Kodava volunteers in Kodagu are verifying the details given by the school. Members of the group of Kodavas who are reaching out to help these children are undertaking personal visits to these schools to further verify the details. Contribution in the form of a crossed cheque to the school bank account has been acknowledged by both school authorities and the local volunteers.
My suggestions: Personally, I have found it to be a worthwhile cause to support for three reasons. First, it protects the future of the Kodava community. Second, it gives the under-privileged Kodava children a better shot at life and third, the entire contribution goes to the fees of the beneficiary, as there are no administrative costs.
The Appeal: Kodavas and their friends interested in assisting in this venture may please contact Pandiyanda Suraj Machaiah {Mob: 8144418910}, Indu Mandanna ( Mobile – 9845569987), Maletira Ajith Pooovanna ( Mobile – 9880825484), and many more who can act as volunteers.
References: I would only be too happy to talk about my experience to anyone who would like to speak with me.
Regards and best wishes
Kodendera Arjun Muthanna
Brig KA Muthanna
Office of Addl DG of Police (Internal Security Division)
60 Richmond Road
Bangalore – 560025
Tele – 080-22943818
Mob – 9686271311, 9480800604.
