In these few years from inception, our small team was able to take up many activities to help educate underprivileged children.
Some of the activities that we have taken up are as follows:
KESST enlarged its activities to include support to educational institutions and in the field of livelihood for low income groups while continuing its legacy programs.
Support for Education:
In FY 2025-26, KESSTincurred an expenditure of Rs 22,12,920/- to support 118 children, of which 65 are girls. Amongst the children, seven girls and four boys are orphans, 30 girls and 24 boys have single mothers, and the remaining children are from economically poor families.
Sainik School Entrance Exam Coaching (for academic session 2025-26):
We continued our efforts of offering coaching for the Class 6 Entrance Exam at Lions School, Gonikoppal, whose management has been very supportive in this initiative. The coaching commenced on 1st July 2025 and was conducted till 16th Jan 2026 for the exam, which was conducted on 18th Jan 2026. There were ten children, including one girl. Three children qualified in the exam, with Lavin Ganapathy HT securing a merit position, making him eligible for admission to schools in other states but not in Kodagu, as the cut off for merit for general category students for admission to Sainik School Kodagu for Academic Year 2026-27 was much higher. In 2025-26, for the Home State Unreserved category for Sainik School Kodagu was 267 marks (89%) for boys and 284 marks (94.6%) for girls
As in previous years, the Spill-off benefits of this coaching saw one child, Lavin Ganapathy HT, qualifying for admission to Jawaharlal Navodaya Vidyalaya, Gallibeedu (Kodagu) for Academic Year 2026-27.
Candidates for Sainik School Entrance Exam, 18th Jan 2026, along with parents, teachers, and trustees
Awareness for Career Options in Defence:
During the year, many children and parents reached out to KESST for counselling and guidance for careers in the Armed Forces. They are assisted by familiarising them with the Join Armed Forces websites, UPSC examination schedules, and syllabus. For the interview at the Services Selection Board (SSB), they are connected with various personality development coaches. The following were successful in joining various military academies and received their commissions:
Candidates who were successful in in joining various military academies and received their commissions
Coaching to Join Defence and Central Armed Police Forces as Jawans:
KESSTconducted coaching to join the Defence and Central Armed Police Forces as Jawan from April 2025 in Kushalnagar under the guidance and supervision of Janaradhan, Army Veteran (18 Madras). The coaching is conducted in the premises of Government Junior College, Kushalnagar (Kodagu), also known as the Gundi College, and includes all the physical tests, written examination, and also covers motivation, the importance of nation building, and personality development. In 2025, four Male Agniveers completed their training and joined their combat training. In 2025, one female ITBP constable completed her training in Haryana in Oct 2025 and joined her unit in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh. In 2025, eight male Agniveer aspirants have successfully cleared all the tests and are awaiting the final merit list.
Jawans – (L-R) – Yaksitha (ITBP), Monish, Gahurav, Pretham, Surya (Army Agniveers)
Agniveer Coaching Classes – Kushalnagar, Kodagu:
KESSTsupports a year-long training for Agniveer aspirants in Kushalnagar, Kodagu. The students are prepared for the selection trials in physicals, and also provided academic guidance for their written exams. This is an ongoing process throughout the year.
Agniveer Coaching Classes – Kushalnagar, Kodagu
Provision of NCC Uniforms:
Government High School, Kushalnagar, was allotted an NCC Army Wing slot in the year 2024-25. This quota, however, did not include financial support from the state government. The students of the school being from economically backward families, could not afford the cost of uniforms and kits. KESST supported them by providing NCC uniforms and kits worth Rs 17,625.
Provision of NCC Uniforms to Government High School, Kushalnagar
Corporate Social Responsibility:
Three corporates, Modus Systems, lsmartu lndia Private Limited (llPL), and IFS Softeon, selected KESST to undertake CSR projects in FY 2025-26. IFS Softeon committed to supporting Project “BhARAT (Bharat Akshara and Reading Acquisition Test)” under the Literacy-4-All in Local Indian Languages under CSR funding. Funds for Phase 1 were received and utilised. The project seeks to develop validated assessments in regional languages for literacy acquisition, with initial focus on Kannada learners in South Karnataka.
Educational Infrastructure:
The newly formed Government Women’s College, Madikeri, did not have a single computer in the college for the students and office use. There was a request from the principal of the college for one desktop. Accordingly, KESST donated one desktop costing Rs 49,004 to the college.
Provision of CCTV systems (full kit) Triveni School Virajpet, Kodagu:
As part of our outreach to provide certain infrastructure to educational institutes, KESST provided CCTV coverage (complete kit), including installation, to Triveni School, Virajpet, at a cost of Rs 1,00,400.
Top Left: Triveni School, Virajpet. Top Right: Lions Primary School, Gonikoppa.
Bottom: Govt Women's College, Madikeri
Financial Support for Participation in Foreign Marathon Race at Valencia, Spain on 7th December 2025:
KESST supported Army marathon runner Appachanganda B Belliappa to participate in the event for a total of Rs 1.20 Lakhs. He achieved a lifetime best (Personal Best), finishing with a time of 2:14:07.
4th State-level Cross Country (Ponnachanda Neeraj Kushalappa Memorial Race) Race for Youth Eligible for Joining Defence Forces, 1st December 2024 at Kushalnagar (Kodagu):
KESST conducted the 4th State-level Cross Country Race for Youth Eligible for Joining Defence Forces on 23rd November 2025. This race was named as the Late Ponnachanda Neeraj Kushalappa Memorial Race, as his parents came forward to sponsor the event. The event was organised at Government Junior College, Kushalnagar (Kodagu), also known as the Gundi College, by KESST and Kushalnagar Ex-Servicemen's Organisation. This annual run is in its fourth edition and is organised to encourage youth who are aspiring to join the Defence services and sportspersons to showcase their capabilities. The upper age limit was 20 years, and this year there were 165 boys and 50 girls who participated. Amongst the girls, Sports Hostel Kudige dominated, while in the boys section, the honours were evenly shared by Sports Hostel Kudige and other institutions.
4th State-level Cross Country (Ponnachanda Neeraj Kushalappa Memorial Race) Race for Youth Eligible for Joining Defence Forces, 1st December 2024 at Kushalnagar (Kodagu)
4th State-level Cross Country (Ponnachanda Neeraj Kushalappa Memorial Race):
Boy's Winners
4th State-level Cross Country (Ponnachanda Neeraj Kushalappa Memorial Race):
Girl's Winners
National Spirit and Patriotism - Spirit of Freedom Marathon:
In order to inculcate a feeling of patriotism among the public, Lions Club Gonikoppa has been conducting the Spirit of Freedom Marathon on Independence Day, 15th August, for more than 40 years. In 2025, KESST decided to jointly sponsor the annual event as part of its Youth Development initiatives. On Independence Day, 15th August 2025, the Spirit of Freedom Marathon was conducted from Ponnampet to Gonikoppa. There were about 500 participants, mostly students.
National Spirit and Patriotism - Spirit of Freedom Marathon
National Spirit and Patriotism - Spirit of Freedom Marathon
Career Awareness Program - joining the Defence Forces at Lions School, Gonikoppa:
KESST conducted an awareness campaign for career options in the defence forces, for children from 10th Grade and above. Students from six different schools were in attendance, and it was conducted at the Lions School auditorium.
Career Awareness Program at Lions School, Gonikoppa
Career Awareness Program at Lions School, Gonikoppa
KESST: Cheque disbursement to beneficiaries - 17th August, 2025:
KESST conducted its annual cheque disbursement function at Triveni School, Virajpet, on 17th August 2025. Despite the heavy rains, 116 beneficiaries (or their guardians) attended. Amminichanda Ravi Uthappa, President of Virajpet Kodava Samaja, the Chief Guest, exhorted the beneficiaries to work hard. Shri Apadanada Kariappa, President of Triveni School Managing Committee, thanked the Trustees of KESST for their unstinted support to the students in the form of scholarships. After highlighting the various items of school equipment, such as computers and video projection systems, he, along with Shri Merianda Achama, Director of the School Committee, gifted a memento to Shri Mandapanda Chengappa, President of KESST, as a token of their appreciation and gratitude. Shri Maletira Srinivas, Honorary Secretary of Kodava Samaja Virajpet, and Shri Mandeda Kumar, a well-wisher, were also present. The Guest of Honour, Shri Pattamada Navin Nanaiah, Director of Modus Information Systems, which supports KESST through its CSR program, addressed the beneficiaries and advised them to keep up-to-date with the developments in information technology.
Cheque disbursement to beneficiaries - 17th August, 2025
Cheque disbursement to beneficiaries - 17th August, 2025
We are extremely happy to share that a beneficiary of KEEST support, nursing student Machetira Rashimi Poovaiah, graduated recently from the College of Nursing, Kodagu Institute of Medicine Sciences, Madikeri, Kodagu, as a qualified nurse.
Ms.Machetira Rashimi Poovaiah
KESST Office at Virajpet:
KESST office in the old Virajpet Kodava Samaja office building, adjoining Triveni School is fully functional. The office is open from 10 am to 5 pm from Monday to Saturday and is closed on Sundays and state government holidays.
Administrative Expenses 2025-26:
In keeping with the tenets of KESST, administrative expenses have been managed at under 5% of the annual expenditure.
Kodagu Educational & Social Service Trust. (www.kodagueducation.com)
Bankers: STATE BANK OF INDIA, VIRAJPET
Account in name of: KESST
Account Number – Current Account 35865551488 (35865551488)
IFSC Code – SBIN0000950 (SBIN0000950)
PAN "AACTK 7566 R.
Contributions are exempted under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act as per Approval No CIT(Exemption)/BANGALORE/80G/2018-19/A/10103 issued vide Order no ITBA/EXM/S/80G/2018-19/1013883857 (1) dt 29 Nov 2018.
Donors are required to provide their PAN Number, name as per PAN, and full address to avail of the 80G benefit.
Click here to view or download the KESST Annual Report 2025-26 (PDF format).
To be read in conjunction with Annual Report for FY 2025-26.
It is expected that the annual budget for the year will be around Rs 40 Lakhs. We will endeavour to raise this amount through the personal contributions of the Trustees, CSR funds, and well-wishers.
Bankers:
STATE BANK OF INDIA, VIRAJPET
Account in name of: KESST
Account Number: Current Account 35865551488 (35865551488)
IFSC Code: SBIN0000950 (SBIN0000950)
PAN "AACTK 7566 R.
Important: Contributions are exempted under Section 80G of Income Tax Act as per Approval No CIT(Exemption)/BANGALORE/80G/2018-19/A/10103 issued vide Order no ITBA/EXM/S/80G/2018-19/1013883857 (1) dt 29 Nov 2018. Donors are required to provide PAN Number, name as per PAN and full address to avail of 80G benefit. KESST is registered with Ministry of Corporate Affairs for accepting CSR Funds vide Registration number is CSR00015216.
Donors are required to provide their PAN Number, name as per PAN, and full address to avail of the 80G benefit.
Payment through UPI
In addition to bank transfers, you can now make your contributions through UPI. Please scan the code below or use the following UPI ID - kesst@sbi
Click here to view or download the KESST Appeal 2026-27 (PDF format).
Contact for information/clarifications:
Keeping your convenience, and the effectiveness of your contribution in mind, we have offered various options that you can choose from while making your contribution.
You can support a needy child, or children by choosing an option of your liking:
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