The 2013 LEAD Valedictory, Nidasoshi and Chikodi function was held on May 7th, 2013, at SJPN Trust’s HIT College in Nidashoshi to commemorate LEADers throughout the Nidashoshi and Chikodi regions on their year-long efforts. This celebratory event attracted and unified over 150 students, as well as six faculty members, from throughout seven different colleges.

LEAD (LEaders Accelerating Development Program) aims to develop leadership, problem solving, and entrepreneurial skills through an innovative approach within college students.  Through funding, support, and guidance from the LEAD team at the Deshpande Foundation, LEADers implement projects to create solutions for unresolved problems in their communities.

Honorable guests of LEAD Valedictory included Mr. Naveen Jha (CEO, Deshpande Foundation), Shri Shivalingeshwar Mahaswamiji Siddha Sounsthan Math, Nidasoshi (President, SJPN Trust), Mr. Ajay Suman Shukla (Team Leader, LEAD), Dr. N. C. Hiremath (Principal, SJPN Trust’s HIT College, Nidasoshi), Prof. G. B. Sangote (Principal, SJPN Trust’s Polytechnic College, Nidasoshi), Dr. Basavaraj Katageri (Principal, KLECET College, Chikkodi), and Dr. S. B. Hagaragi (Principal, KLE’s BK College, Chikkodi).



Prior to the function, the guests were invited to view project displays and talk to LEADers about their different initiatives.


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

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

Best Leader: Santosh Katral (KLECET)
                      Vinod C Dodamani (HIT College, Nidasoshi)
Most Impact: Usha (SJPN Trust BCA College)
                        Suryakanth (SJPN Trust's Polytechnic College, Nidasoshi)          
Most Active Leader: Abasarahemmed Patel (KLE's BK College, Chikodi)
Best Coordinator: Sushma Kalagudi (MMEC, Belgaum)
                                Nitesh Kammar (HIT College, Nidasoshi)
                                Soumyashree Ramannavar (SJPN Trust's Polytechnic College)
Best Supporting College: Hirasugar Institute of Technology, Nidasoshi




Mr. Naveen Jha (CEO, Deshpande Foundation) then opened the forum and allowed for the audience to ask him questions.  The purpose for this, he claimed, was because “Asking questions is the prime indicator of curious minds.  For leadership, you must have a curious mind.” He also 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..we have lots of problems, but problems create opportunities…If you want to be a leader, then you need to step up.”
Several faculty members discussed how LEAD has helped diversify and enhance the college experiences of the students.  A few LEADers were then given the opportunity to speak about how LEAD encouraged their personal growth and development.


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