Smear campaign against Alva condemned

Moodbidri: Hundreds of people from various walks of life on Saturday joined hands to express solidarity with M Mohan Alva, chairman, Alva’s Education Foundation, who has been targeted by various associations across the state following the mysterious death of Kavya Poojary, a high school student in his institution.
Touted ‘Dr M Mohan Alvara Abhimanigala Bruhat Bembala Sambhe’ organised under the leadership of former MLA Amaranath Shetty here, academicians, litterateurs, sportspersons, parents of former students, alumni, religious leaders and other well-wishers of Alva were present on the occasion.
In the absence of Mohan Alva, his nonagenarian father Anand Alva was present at Swaraja Maidan, the venue.
A minute’s silence was observed in memory of Kavya Poojary before Amarnath Shetty addressed the gathering. Shetty said Alva has made Moodbidri a household name across the country with his contribution to education, arts, sports and many more areas. Shetty decried the media trial in the case. “Why do we have police and courts if we are going to have media trials, he asked?”
The media and Alva’s detractors are indulging in character assassination, said Shetty even when he has agreed for an investigation. He urged the public not to resort to slander.
Fr Francis Gomes, parish priest of Mulki, spoke of his long association with Alva. “I know Alva from the past four decades and have interacted with him on various occasions. During his intital days in 1984, Alva used to carry sweet lemons in a gunny bag to give to sportsperson who were training in Mahaveer College. I am saddened at the aspersions cast on him. He is ready for any kind of a probe.”
Sudhakar Shetty, principal of Jnanasudha Education Institutions, Karkala, said, “Many students have found their calling, thanks to Alva’s constant support. He adopted Kavya to make her an athlete of Olympian standards.”
Brigadier I N Rai (retired) said that Alva’s institution has always encouraged students to join the armed forces. “As many as 27 candidates from Alva’s have passed out from the National Defence Academy. It’s an achievement.”
N Vinaya Hegde, chancellor, Nitte University, Yashovarma, secretary, SDME Society, A J Shetty, head of A J Institutions, Sadanand Shetty, chairman, Shreedevi Education Institutions, Manjunath Bhandary, chairman, Bhandary Education Foundaton, writer Vaidehi, M B Puranik, president, Sharadha Group of Institutions, Vijaynath Vittal Shetty, trustee, Shastavu Shree Bhoothanatheshwara Temple and Sahana Kumari, international athlete, spoke on the contrbutions of Alva.