Barkur, Karnataka | March 2026 — In a heartening testament to the rich educational legacy of the small but proud coastal town of Barkur in Udupi district, two of its accomplished daughters have been honoured with prestigious awards in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the field of education. Mrs. Premila Jessy Crasta and Mrs. Veena Uday Shetty, both rooted in Barkur, have brought immense pride to their hometown, their families, and the wider community by receiving distinguished state-level honours within the same season — a remarkable coincidence that has set the town abuzz with celebration and inspiration.
Mrs. Premila Jessy Crasta Receives the "Shikshana Ratna" Award
The Karnataka State School Education Department Employees Association has conferred the prestigious "Shikshana Ratna" (Jewel of Education) Award upon Mrs. Premila Jessy Crasta, the Principal of Mankrapadi Government Girls Pre-University College, in recognition of her exceptional dedication, transformative leadership, and remarkable contributions to women's education in Karnataka.
Mrs. Premila Jessy Crasta is the daughter of Mrs. Rita Crasta and Mr. John Crasta of Barkur, and the beloved wife of Mr. Norbert Mascarenhas of Puttur. Her educational journey is deeply intertwined with Barkur itself — she completed her primary and secondary schooling at the iconic Maryknoll Primary School and Maryknoll High School, Barkur, before going on to pursue her Pre-University Course (PUC) at National Junior College, Barkur. From her very first years of learning in the classrooms of Barkur, she carried with her the seeds of a passion for education that would go on to blossom into a distinguished career in academic leadership.
Since assuming charge as Principal of Mankrapadi Government Girls Pre-University College in 2018, Mrs. Crasta has been a transformative force within the institution. Over the course of eight years, her visionary approach to administration and her unwavering focus on the holistic development of students have resulted in a dramatic and measurable growth in the college — not just in academic performance, but in overall institutional character, student enrollment, and the confidence of young women stepping through its gates.
Under her stewardship, the college has witnessed a significant increase in student strength, a clear indicator of growing community trust in the institution and its leadership. She has consistently championed the cause of girls' education in a region where access to quality higher secondary schooling remains a cherished aspiration for many families. Her efforts have gone beyond academic results, touching upon life skills, personality development, and the nurturing of self-reliant young women capable of making a meaningful mark on society.
The "Shikshana Ratna" Award is a deeply fitting tribute to a career defined by commitment, compassion, and an indomitable spirit of service. The honour, bestowed by one of Karnataka's most respected educational employee associations, carries with it the acknowledgement of peers, administrators, and fellow educators across the state — making it all the more meaningful.
Reactions from the community have been overwhelmingly warm. Family members, former students, colleagues, and well-wishers from Barkur and beyond have poured in their congratulations, describing Mrs. Crasta as a "wonderful inspiration to the many young women she educates and empowers." The award is seen not merely as personal recognition, but as a celebration of the values instilled in her during her formative years in Barkur — values of hard work, humility, and a love for learning.
Mrs. Veena Uday Shetty Honoured with the "Dr. Shivarama Karanth Sadhaka Stree Puraskara"
In a ceremony held on Sunday, 15th March 2026, at the Dr. Shivarama Karanth Theme Park, Kota, another daughter of Barkur was elevated to the ranks of distinguished women achievers. Mrs. Veena Uday Shetty, a dedicated teacher at Hangara Katte Government Senior Primary School, was bestowed with the coveted "Dr. Shivarama Karanth Sadhaka Stree Puraskara" — an award that carries the name and legacy of one of Karnataka's greatest literary and intellectual giants.
The award was jointly conferred by the Dr. Shivarama Karanth Hutturu Prashasti Pratishthana (Regd.), Kota, in association with the Kotathattu Grama Panchayat, the Amruteshwari Mahila Meenugarara Sahakari Sangha, Kota, and cultural organisations Nenapuu and Usiru, Kota — as part of the 2026 World Women's Day celebrations, making the occasion doubly significant. The annual observance of International Women's Day served as a powerful backdrop against which to celebrate a woman who has quietly but powerfully changed lives through the gift of education at the grassroots level.
Mrs. Veena Uday Shetty's recognition is particularly poignant because it speaks to the heroism of the everyday teacher — one who shows up in a government primary school classroom, day after day, pouring knowledge, care, and encouragement into young, impressionable minds. Working at the primary school level, she has been instrumental in "unveiling new possibilities through the power of Kratu Shakti" — a phrase used in the citation that captures her spirit of initiative, creativity, and tireless motivation.
The award, named after Dr. K. Shivarama Karanth — the celebrated Kannada writer, environmentalist, and humanist — is bestowed upon women who have demonstrated exemplary achievement and service in their chosen fields. That a primary school teacher from Barkur has been selected for this honour underscores the growing recognition that transformative education begins not in universities or colleges, but in the foundational years of a child's schooling, in the hands of devoted teachers like Mrs. Veena Uday Shetty.
The ceremony at the Dr. Shivarama Karanth Theme Park was attended by dignitaries, community leaders, fellow educators, and well-wishers who came together to celebrate the spirit of women's achievement. The event was a reminder that the ideals Dr. Karanth stood for — intellectual honesty, service to society, and the empowerment of communities — live on in the work of committed educators like Mrs. Shetty.
The Barkur community has extended its warmest congratulations to her, with heartfelt wishes that "the coming days bring her even greater success and fulfilment.
Heartiest congratulations to Mrs. Premila Jessy Crasta and Mrs. Veena Uday Shetty — may your journeys continue to inspire generations to come.