Puttur: Students of the Government First Grade Women’s College at Bolwar in Puttur raised several issues concerning education, transport, infrastructure and welfare during an interaction with Puttur MLA Ashok Rai at the Puttur APMC auditorium.
The interaction, which lasted nearly two hours, provided students an opportunity to place their demands directly before the MLA and discuss difficulties affecting their education and daily lives.
Students seek canteen, computers and better bus services
The students demanded a canteen within the college campus, citing the increase in student strength. They said affordable food and refreshments should be made available on campus, particularly because women students often find it inconvenient to travel outside the college in search of meals.
Ashok Rai agreed to the demand and assured the students that steps would be taken to facilitate a canteen on the campus.
The students also sought an increase in the number of computers available at the college to support their academic requirements.
Students travelling from rural areas highlighted the difficulties caused by inadequate city and rural bus services. They sought improvements in bus routes and timings to make commuting to and from the college more convenient.
Rai said changes could be considered in existing routes and timings wherever necessary to address the concerns raised by students.
MLA sanctions Rs 50 lakh for roads
The students also raised issues related to residential sites, roads and government schemes.
Responding to their concerns, Rai sanctioned Rs 50 lakh for road construction and directed officials to provide details regarding applications submitted under the Akrama-Sakrama scheme.
He also assured students who do not have houses that residential sites would be provided. He said Rs 2 lakh would be arranged to assist eligible beneficiaries with house construction.
The MLA assured the students that efforts would be made to address the various issues raised during the interaction.
Students urged to pursue competitive examinations
Rai encouraged the students to make full use of their academic years and focus on building their careers.
“Your future is in your hands. This is the time to acquire education and take a positive step towards building your future. You should have the determination to achieve what you aspire to become. I will extend whatever assistance is required for your education,” he said.
He pointed out that students from Dakshina Kannada and Udupi regularly perform well in academic examinations and secure top ranks. However, he said their participation in competitive examinations and recruitment to government jobs remains comparatively low.
Rai urged the students to appear for competitive examinations without being discouraged by the possibility of failure.
“Students should appear for every competitive examination without worrying about whether they will succeed or fail. No one should forget that failure can be a stepping stone to success,” he said.
MLA launches student interaction initiative
Rai said he had launched a new initiative to spend a day with college students in his Assembly constituency, listen to their concerns and understand their requirements.
“I have started this initiative to interact with college students and listen to their demands and problems. The interaction will be held with students of all colleges in the constituency,” he said.
He said the programme was intended to identify and address difficulties faced by students in their education and learning, while also focusing on their overall welfare.
Rai also advised students to remain focused on their education and be cautious about being drawn into political interests during their academic years.
“Students should remain students and should not become victims of political interests during their academic years. Your parents may be providing you education with great difficulty and with certain expectations. Never disappoint them,” he said.
The interaction concluded with assurances from the MLA that the concerns raised by the students would be followed up with the concerned departments and authorities.