The purpose was noble, at least

The Rs. 2 crore study chair after Social reformer Narayana Guru announced but not implemented was meant to propagate the philosophy of the social reformer whose followers are many in the coastal districts.

He is one among those who fought against the caste system and propagated that there was one caste, one religion and one God.

Began in 2010

According to the university sources, the university had sent a proposal to the government seeking funds to establish the chair, in 2010.

The last (2014-15) Budget put across a proposal to set up an Advanced Research centre under the university at Udupi using funds from Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan.

It was expected that the centre would help enhance research activities of the university and expand it to Udupi.

Theoretical only

The proposal has virtually remained on paper.

The university has sought Rs. 141 crore for the plan. According to the university authorities, it could go ahead with the project if the government released at least 50 per cent of the grant sought.

They said that though the university in 2013-14 sought Rs. 20 crore for infrastructure development works at its post-graduate centre at Chikka Aluvara in Kodagu district, the government has released Rs. one crore. The university has built infrastructure facilities there worth Rs. 17 crore by using its other funds.