Mangaluru: A popular saying suggests that students forget their teachers once they move on in life. Alumni of Sri Durgaparameshwari (SDPT) First Grade College, Kateel, however, proved otherwise by coming together for a rare and meaningful ‘Guru–Shishya’ reunion, celebrating the teachers who shaped their lives and careers.
Founded nearly three decades ago in the then-remote hilly terrain near the famed Kateel Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple, the college has grown from a modest institution into one with national recognition. In its early days, sceptics questioned who would “climb the hill” to study there. Today, the answer is evident in the success stories of its alumni, many of whom hold prestigious positions across India and in several countries abroad.
Inspired by the temple’s tradition of Anna Dasoha, the college introduced Akshara Dasoha, a knowledge-sharing initiative that continues uninterrupted. Speakers at the reunion noted that the institution’s faculty were the true architects of its alumni’s success, and honouring these “achiever teachers” served as an example for society at large.
The SDPT REUNION, held at Kateel on Sunday, brought together hundreds of former students now excelling as chartered accountants, entrepreneurs, professionals, scholars and social activists worldwide. The day-long programme featured a unique brainstorming session where business leaders shared insights from their journeys, entrepreneurs mentored start-up aspirants, and scholars—including Vedic experts—reconnected with their former teachers, symbolically becoming students once again.
Addressing the gathering, senior professor Nagesh Rao urged young talents to embrace emerging technologies, stressing that artificial intelligence learning would be crucial for future generations. Senior Sanskrit scholar Dr. Sonda Bhaskara Bhat highlighted the importance of spirituality, saying it energises both body and mind amid professional pressures.
Professor Dr. Krishna Kanchan described auditing as integral to all sectors and expressed pride that hundreds of SDPT alumni had become experts in the field. Professor Keshav H spoke on the value of service, noting that contributions to society return in unexpected ways.
Professor Dr. Vijaya Kumar emphasised that the teacher–student bond was a lifelong relationship and called for similar reunions across educational institutions to promote social harmony. Former principal Balakrishna Shetty said remembering one’s teachers formed the foundation of any meaningful educational system.
Professor Jagadish Chandra urged alumni to ensure that their education became a guiding light in others’ lives and to continue supporting their alma mater. Physical education director Jayaram Shetty stressed that fitness should be integrated into daily life, not confined to schools and colleges.
The SDPT REUNION also emerged as a platform to discuss broader themes such as plastic-free initiatives, educational advancement and skill development, reinforcing the institution’s commitment to social responsibility alongside academic excellence.
