Mangalore Diocese News

Media Release

Mangaluru, Feb 27 : Captain Prashanth Parashuram Koti was felicitated by the management of the St Joseph’s Engineering College (SJEC) at the Prerana Convention Hall on 25 February 2023.

A student of III year B.E (Electronics and Communication Engineering) of St Joseph Engineering College, Mangaluru and a NCC cadet of 6 KAR Naval Unit, Udupi represented Karnataka & Goa Directorate at the Republic Day Camp (RDC) 2023, Delhi.

Cadet Captain Prashanth’s family hails from Lingapura, Bagalkot in Karnataka and have relocated to Mangaluru since his childhood.  He was born on 1st March 2002 to Mr Parashurama Koti and Mrs Seetha Koti.  He has excelled academically since his childhood and is currently a topper in his engineering batch.

Cadet Captain Prashanth is the first batch cadet of 6 KAR Naval NCC subunit of the college.  He was one among the three cadets selected for RDC from all over Karnataka & Goa Directorate in Ship Modelling. A total of 17 Directorates across India took part in the Ship Modelling competition.  His team built a powered ship model (INS TRIKAND) within 48 hours.

He is the recipient of Gold Medal in Powered Ship Model, Gold Medal in VIP Model and Admiral Nanda Trophy also known as Silver Ship in ship modelling, awarded first time in history to  Karnataka & Goa Directorate.  He was accorded with ‘Commendation Certificate & Gold Medal’ by DDG, NCC of Karnataka & Goa Directorate for rendering service of very high order, thus enhancing the image of National Cadet Corps and winning laurels for the Directorate of Karnataka & Goa.

Ship Modelling Instructor (SMI) Ex Petty Officer Parashuram K of 6 Kar Naval NCC Unit-Udupi, SJEC Director-In-Charge Rev Fr Alwyn R D’Souza,  SJEC Principal Dr Rio D' Souza, Vice-Principal Dr Purushotham Chippar, SJEC NCC Navy Caretaking Officer (CTO) Pramila R D'Souza, Cadet Captain Parashuram Koti's parents Mr Parashuram Koti and Mrs Seetha Koti were present on the occasion.

Cadet Captain Prashanth and his parents were escorted in an open air jeep from the college entrance gate to the Prerana hall by the College band, NCC cadets (Naval Wing & Air Wing), Management, staff and students for the felicitation programme at the Prerana hall.
 
Dr Rio D’Souza, Principal of SJEC welcomed Prashanth Parashuram Koti and congratulated him on his stellar performance.  Speaking on the occasion after being felicitated Prashanth Parashuram Koti said, "It was a great moment and experience to be there. We got the chance to meet the honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other Officials.  This achievement would not have been possible without the continuous support of the College Management and the Lecturers.”

He thanked the college management for providing financial assistance to achieve his dream. He also thanked ship modelling Guru Parashuram K for his tremendous training. “He is the reason why I am standing here in front of you all.  I also thank my CTO Pramila R D'Souza, a RDC & Rajpath cadet of 1996 for being my inspiration. I extend my gratitude to my Head of Department Dr Dayakshini and other Professors for their support in academics. When I went to New Delhi, I was in a dilemma and worried about my academics, but my lecturers supported me and told me to go ahead without getting worried about my studies. I thank my parents for motivating me at every step I took.” he said.

Former ship modelling instructor Parashuram K also lauded Prashanth Koti for his discipline and dedication in learning. “I quit my diploma and joined the Navy and served there for 15 years. I returned to ship modelling, which is interesting in every aspect and technical too. If someone wants to take up ship modelling, they really need to be passionate. If you don't have the passion you cannot succeed. When you have an appetite to learn then that will help you reach the top. Prashanth is a humble and a passionate guy. I did not know that he was also a topper in academics. He listens more carefully to his gurus which could be one of the reasons for his success."

Director in-charge of SJEC, Fr Alwyn R D'Souza said," We are really blessed and proud of the achievements of Prashanth. We are overwhelmed with joy about Prashanth's achievements. He has made our institution proud. On behalf of the management and faculty members, we wish to congratulate you .We sometimes look forward to role models but we have a role model in our own college. Our students have won gold medals in powerlifting and academics. They are making our institution proud and one among them is Prashanth. He has taken the name of our institution to New Delhi."

CTO Pramila R D’Souza delivered the vote of thanks.  Cadet Clancy compered the programme.