Back in 1969, with the noble thought of Shri Keerthishesha Ratnavarma Heggade, higher education was brought to the rural Ujire region, where youth were largely deprived of opportunities for advanced learning. Nearly 60 years ago, the challenges were many; malaria was prevalent, roads
were scarce, qualified teaching faculty were reluctant to come to the region, and heavy rains lasted for almost six months.
In such difficult circumstances, the first college was established in 1966. Around the same time, the SDME Trust was also formed, marking the beginning of a long journey of establishing educational institutions. This mission was later carried forward by his son and the present Dharmadhikari of Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala – Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade. Within a short span of just one year, the construction of the first higher education college building was completed.
Dr. Heggade personally stood at the site, closely monitoring the development and progress of the building. Recalling those days, Dr. Satheeshchandra S, the current Secretary of the SDME Society, remembers how the President would visit the campus every morning in his Ambassador Blue Car (MYX 405), a car he still uses today for ceremonial occasions. It is often said that he is connected to every
stone of the building.
The building was inaugurated by the revered Indian humanitarian, spiritual leader, educator, and supercentenarian Sri Shivakumara Swamiji of Siddaganga Mutt, marking a significant milestone in the journey of SDM’s higher education institutions.
