Kundapur: The regular beach clean-up initiative undertaken by Bearys Education at Kodi is an inspiration to the youth across India, said Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Kota Srinivas Poojari. He observed that cleaning and protecting the country’s 10,000-km-long coastline would be a significant service to society.

He was speaking after unveiling the logo for the 50th monthly edition of the ‘Clean Beach Green Kodi’ campaign organised by Bearys Knowledge Campus on Saturday. The milestone marked a significant achievement for the institution, which has been consistently working towards coastal cleanliness and environmental protection through community participation.

The campaign has brought together students, educators, local residents and volunteers to promote responsible waste management and protect the coastal environment.

MP praises sustained efforts towards beach cleanliness

Congratulating Bearys Education on completing 50 monthly beach-cleaning campaigns, Kota Srinivas Poojari said such initiatives could motivate young people to take responsibility for protecting the environment.

He emphasised that maintaining the cleanliness of India’s extensive coastline required collective participation and sustained efforts from educational institutions, communities and citizens.

The campaign at Kodi was highlighted as an example of how a local initiative could create wider awareness about environmental responsibility and inspire similar efforts elsewhere in the country.

Jayaprakash Hegde stresses environmental awareness among children

Former minister K Jayaprakash Hegde emphasised the importance of creating awareness about cleanliness and hygiene among children from an early age.

He said people should learn to appreciate and love nature rather than disturb it. Expressing concern over the increasing destruction of the environment, he stressed that senior members of society should lead by example.

He called upon people to maintain cleanliness not only in their homes and workplaces but also in their surroundings and the natural environment.

According to him, children develop responsible habits by observing adults, making it important for elders to demonstrate environmental consciousness through their everyday actions.

Bearys Trust calls for an addiction-free Kodi

Syed Mohamed Beary, convenor of the Haji K Mohidin Beary Education Trust, said preserving nature was a collective responsibility, particularly for those who benefited from its resources.

He observed that the campaign would achieve its larger purpose when future generations developed genuine love and concern for the environment.

“The aim of the campaign will be fulfilled if the future generation of the country develops love and concern for environment. Every one of us, however, should be committed to preserving nature and fulfil the duty,” he said.

He also announced plans to expand the institution’s community initiatives beyond environmental cleanliness by working towards making Kodi addiction-free.

“We should all put in our efforts to make Kodi addiction-free also. Our institution is working towards this and we request the support of all the people. Similar to the cleanliness campaign, we aim to undertake an ‘Addiction-free Kodi’ as it will provide safety to women and children. In addition, we plan to provide supplementary facilities for adult education,” he said.

The proposed initiative aims to address substance addiction through collective community involvement while also promoting a safer environment for women and children. The institution is also planning supplementary educational facilities for adults.

Coastal Development Board president highlights climate change

Coastal Development Board president MA Gafoor spoke about climate change and its growing impact across the world, emphasising the need to build a pollution-free society.

He noted that the Bearys Education Campus had been carrying out an important community responsibility through its beach-cleaning initiative for nearly 50 months, with local people joining hands under the leadership of Syed Mohamed Beary.

He appreciated the sustained participation of volunteers in cleaning the areas around Kodi and described the initiative as commendable.

The campaign, he said, demonstrated how educational institutions and local communities could work together to address environmental challenges and promote sustainable practices.

Community leaders and officials participate

The programme was presided over by Abdul Rehaman Beary, president of Bearys College of Education.

Among those present were Capt. Imthiyaz, Kundapur Town Police Inspector Jayarama D Gowda, Range Forest Officer Kiran Babu, Traffic Sub-Inspector Anoop Nayak, City Municipality Health Inspector Raghavendra, Vandse Gram Panchayat Development Officer Shankar Acharya and Koteshwara Panchayat Development Officer Sushanth Shrivatsav.

Others present included MSDC Manipal President Brigade Dr Sarjith Singh Pabla, social activist Rakesh Soans, CSP Assistant Sub-Inspector Babu Poojary, Lion Club District Governor Rajeev Kotian, Namma Naadu Group president Hussain Haikady and Red Cross president Jayakar Shetty.

Representatives of local institutions and organisations included Kodi Shri Chakreshwara Temple trustee Gopal Poojary, School SDMC vice-president Kote Prabhakar Sherigar, treasurer Shankar Poojari and member Abdullah Kodi.

Also present were former town municipality members Lakshmi and Kamala, Ashfaq, Kalpana Bhaskar of the Clean Kundapur Team, fishermen’s leader Nagaraj Kanchan, Venkatesh of Reef Watch, Ravindra Bhat of Coastal Green Trust, Ganesh Shetty of Nammabhoomi and Venkatesh Bettin, president of Royal Club Kundapur.

Sadashiva, teacher of Vandse Government School; Aruna, NSS officer of Bhandarkar’s College; Subramanya, Scout Guides officer of Venkataramana English Medium School; Dr Asif Barry, trustee of Kodi Bearys Group of Educational Institutions; Ashwini Shetty, campus director; and beach-cleaning ambassador Sharmin Banu were also present.

Dr Firdose, principal of Bearys B.Ed and D.Ed, welcomed the gathering. Shweta K, a teacher from Seaside Public School, compered the programme, while Lamis, a lecturer at the PU College, proposed the vote of thanks.

Heads of various departments at Bearys College of Education, Dr Poornima, Jayasheela Shetty, Zian and Shabeena, assisted in organising the programme.

50 campaigns underline commitment to environmental protection

The completion of 50 monthly editions of the ‘Clean Beach Green Kodi’ campaign represents the importance of consistency and community participation in environmental conservation.

By involving educational institutions, government officials, community representatives and local volunteers, Bearys Education has sought to make beach cleanliness a shared responsibility rather than an occasional activity.

The institution’s proposed initiatives on addiction prevention and adult education also indicate an effort to extend its community engagement to wider social concerns.

The milestone campaign reinforces the message that protecting coastal ecosystems requires continuous public participation, environmental awareness and a commitment to preserving natural resources for future generations.