Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat is all set to boost ‘Manthana,’ a personality development programme for students hailing from the backward classes, minority and physically challenged during this academic year.
To improve the quality of the programme, the ZP has proposed to invite celebrity resource persons to the hostels.
The unique programme was implemented in the district during October, 2011 at more than 100 hostels, including 29 hostels run by the department of social welfare, 60 BCM hostels and hostels run by ITDP in all the taluks.
Under this programme resource persons are invited to the hostels twice in a month to give tips on leadership quality, public speaking, public relations, on facing examinations etc.
Speaking to Deccan Herald, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr K N Vijayprakash said that the dream scheme of the zilla panchayat covers almost 7,500 hostel students in the district. The idea of inviting celebrity resource persons would provide an opportunity for the students to have a face-to-face interaction with the celebrities.
The programme is meant for pre- metric as well as post metric hostel students.
Stating that there was some lacuna in the implementation of the programme last year, the CEO said that the programme will be organised regularly this year. Regular review meetings are being held and officials are showing keen interest in implementing the scheme, he said.
Napkin disposal units
The CEO said that the ZP will initiate measures to set up napkin disposal units with burners at various girls hostels in the district.
“The ZP will be setting up a napkin wending machines in major hostels of the city including Kudmul Rangarao hostel” he added.