Udupi: After transforming the lives of dozens of underprivileged families through housing initiatives, businessman and philanthropist Dr. Govinda Babu Poojary has turned his attention to education by establishing a state-of-the-art computer laboratory at a government school in Karnataka’s Udupi district.
The new computer lab, set up at the Bijoor Government Higher Primary School near Byndoor, has been developed in collaboration with Microsoft Corporation India and the Uppunda Varalakshmi Charitable Trust. The initiative aims to bridge the digital divide and provide students from rural and economically weaker backgrounds access to modern technology and digital learning.
The facility was inaugurated on Saturday by Byndoor MLA Gururaj Gantihole, who lauded the initiative as a significant step towards improving the quality of education in government schools. He said such contributions would help fulfil the educational aspirations of children from underprivileged families and strengthen digital learning infrastructure in rural areas.
Dr. Poojary, founder of ChefTalk Company and president of the Varalakshmi Charitable Trust, has adopted the Bijoor Government School and has undertaken several developmental works over the years. According to him, the school has already witnessed an increase in student enrolment after improvements in infrastructure and learning facilities.
“The objective is to ensure that children studying in government schools have access to the same quality of education and digital resources available in private institutions,” he said, adding that the Trust would continue to invest in educational and social welfare initiatives.
MLA Gururaj Gantihole also felicitated Dr. Poojary for his contribution to education and social service.
Among those present at the inauguration were SDMC President Ramesh V. Devadiga, Byndoor Area Education Officer Nagesh Naik, Assistant Director of the Kannada and Culture Department Poornima, Old Students’ Association President Nandish Devadiga, and school headmaster Manjunath S., besides several local dignitaries and trust officials.