By Louis Rodrigues
Known across the nation and abroad as a great leader with immense vision and gigantic mission Chairman of KLE Society, Belagavi, Dr Prabhakar Kore is celebrating his 77th birthday today (August 1) In the state of Goa Dr Kore has carved a niche while serving scores of Goans in the field of education and health through KLE. A dynamic leader, Dr Kore is immensely popular among classes as well as masses.
Welfare in a society is defined by little acts of responsibility undertaken by individuals who bring light to the lives of people they touch. Dr Prabhakar Kore is one such individual. Hailing from Ankali a small village in Belagavi district he has played a four-decade transformational role as Chairman, KLE Society. A three-time Rajya Sabha member, Dr Kore stands as a leader of the masses.
As Chairman KLE Society, he has taken the best of education and healthcare to villages and cities alike. Scores of Goan students have benefited from the institutions run by the society as KLE offers education from pre-primary to post-doctoral studies in various disciplines. KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research (KAHER) and KLE Technological University were also established by Dr Kore. International collaborations of KAHER with World Health Organization, National Institutes of Health (USA) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have facilitated global research in Maternal and New Born Health.
Established by Dr Kore with 1200 beds the KLE Hospital and Medical Research Centre has now evolved into a 2400 beds super specialty multi-organ transplant centre renowned for heart, liver and kidney transplant surgeries. KLE’s healthcare network has over 4000 beds including 1700 charitable beds providing modern healthcare at affordable costs. Under his leadership KLE has grown from 38 institutions in 1983 to 310 today with 1,35,000 students and over 16,000 staff .
Dr Kore has spearheaded the Co-operative Movement especially for sugarcane growers in North Karnataka upgrading the Chidanand Basaprabhu Kore Co-operative Sugar Factory,Chikodi. He has established the state-of-the-art Shivashakti Sugars at Saundatti and has promoted technology incorporation and scientific farming practices. He has played a pivotal role in establishing the ICAR-KLE Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Mattikoppa. Dr Prabhakar Kore Credit Souhard Sahakari Ltd established by Dr Kore supports farmers financially. He also played a key role in establishing Rani Channamma Mahila Sahakari Bank Niyamit, Belagavi, a leading women’s cooperative banks in the region.
Dr Kore’s contributions have earned him accolades in the form of Honorary Doctorates from national and international universities and the Rajyotsava Award by Govt of Karnataka. However, choosing not to rest upon the laurels, he continues the journey transforming lives through quality education, affordable modern healthcare and efficient and productive agriculture in order to ensure the welfare of the masses.
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