The 2013 LEAD Chitradurga and Davangere Valedictory Function was held on April 27th, 2013, at Davangere University to commemorate 100 LEADers on their year-long efforts throughout the Chitradurga and Davangere regions.  This celebratory event attracted and unified over 250 students and their parents, as well as 10 faculty members, from throughout eight different colleges. 

Honorable guests included Mr. Naveen Jha (CEO, Deshpande Foundation), Smt S Indumati (Vice Chancellor, Davangere University), Dr. S Prakash (Registrar, Davangere University), Dr. B S Shiv Kumar (Principal, SJMIT College, Chitradurga), Professor Y Vrushabendrappa (Director, BIET College, Davangere), Dr. Rama Swamy (Principal, BIET College, Davangere), Professor Eshwarappa (Principal, DRM College), and Mr. H B Manjunath (Media Head, Davangere University).

The event began with an introduction by Mr. Ajay Suman Shukla (Team Leader, LEAD), who spoke about the tremendous growth and success that the LEAD program has experienced in the past five years since its inception. 

A few LEADers were given the opportunity to speak about how LEAD encouraged their personal growth and development. Chaitra of DRM Science College has implemented multiple projects with LEAD.  Chaitra told the audience that because of his active participation in the LEAD program, his "self confidence and communication skills have increased.".  Rakesh Kulkarni of BIET College, Davangere also noticed a drastic change in his communication skills thanks to the LEAD program, saying that "Before joining LEAD, I had trouble interacting with people, even my own friends.  Now I can interact with everybody."



Smt S Indumati (Vice Chancellor, Davangere University) presented a motivational speech about the importance of extending leadership outside of the LEAD program and projects.   She told the LEADers, "You have to care for your own society.  Try to educate people, try to make them learn...You should be the leaders of your family.  You should be the leaders of your mind.  You should be the leaders of your society."


Mr. Naveen Jha (CEO, Deshpande Foundation) inspired the LEADers by speaking about the power and potential of the youth to instigate positive change in India.  According to him, "There are 300 million youth in India right now.  The whole country is looking to us...We can rule the world because of our young population."




Special awards were then presented to various students and faculty members who demonstrated exceptional leadership, projects, and support.  The LEAD Chitradurga and Davangere Valedictory Function award categories and recipients are listed below:

Best Faculty Coordinator: Sri Shreedhar (Faculty, SJMIT College, Chitradurga)
Best Student Coordinator: Shivanand Reddy (SJMIT College, Chitradurga)
Best College Award: DRM Science College, Davangere (Award was accepted by Professor K S Eshwarappa)
Best Project Award: Deepa S (Chanukya College, Davangere)
Best LEADer Awards: Rakesh Kulkarni (BIET College, Davangere)
                                     Vinayak Kabade (GMIT College)
                                     Ajay Kumar (MSW Department, Davangere University)
                                     Shiv Kumar (MSW Department, Davangere University)
Most Improved LEADer Award: Pushpa A (GMIT College)




The Valedictory concluded with a special cultural program of skits and classical performances presented by students. 

The 2013 LEAD Chitradurga and Davengere Function honored not only the LEADers and their projects, but it also celebrated the power of youth, leadership, and initiative.