Students take centre stage at DK Automobile & Tyre Dealers’ Association annual meet
Mangalore Today News Network
Mangaluru, September 26, 2026: The Dakshina Kannada Automobile & Tyre Dealers’ Association (DKATDA) placed education and student welfare at the centre of its 42nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Auto Sangam annual family get-together held at St. Sebastian Platinum Jubilee Auditorium, Bendur, on September 20.
The Association unveiled the Auto Ratna Maroor Padmanabha Pai Auto Vidya Scholarship, an initiative to support higher education of children of employees of member firms by sponsoring the full course fees. Three students, Bhoomika, Tanvi G. Poojary and Varnashree, were awarded scholarships ranging from ₹40,000 to ₹55,000. Senior members A. K. Jayaram Sheka, M. Ramesh and P. L. Suvarna unveiled the scholarship scheme.
As part of its annual practice of recognising academic excellence, the Association felicitated a record 30 meritorious students, children of members and their employees, for outstanding results in the SSLC and PUC exams. The students received certificates and cash awards.
A major highlight of the programme was the posthumous presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to the Association’s immediate Past President, Late Kasturi Prabhakar Pai, in recognition of his three decades of service to the automobile industry and the Association. The award was received by his wife Prathibha Pai and family members.
Association Joint Secretary Athmika Amin was also felicitated for receiving the Ubuntu Star Award from the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI), Bengaluru.
An internship student team from the Institute of Management and Commerce, Srinivas University, presented a dance-drama highlighting road safety and the benefits of the Association’s student scholarship scheme.
The Auto Sangam also featured a trade fair with product display stalls by leading spare parts manufacturers and distributors. As many as 48 new members were welcomed into the Association. The programme concluded with a lucky draw, with children present drawing the prizes, while Preetham Kumar Nayak entertained the audience with music and singing.
President K. Vilas Kumar welcomed the gathering, while Secretary Maroor Shashidhar Pai presented the annual report and Treasurer Prasanna K. R. presented the financial report. Coordinator T. Rathnakar Pai conducted the election of office bearers and Anil Rao conducted the AGM. Soujanya Hegde compered the Auto Sangam programme and Vice President Harsha Kumar Kedige proposed the vote of thanks.
Prof. Venkatesh Amin, Dean, and faculty members of Institute of Management and Commerce, Srinivas University, Joint Treasurer K. Laxminarayan Nayak and Manager Ramdas Pai were present.