Puttur, January 24, 2026: Bharathi S. Rai, Head of the Department of English and Public Relations Officer of St Philomena Autonomous College, has been awarded a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree by Srinivas University, Mangaluru.
She earned the doctorate for her research thesis titled “Reinventing Karna: An Exploration of Select Retellings of the Mahabharata.” The research was carried out under the guidance of renowned research professor, Dr Manjula K. T. of Srinivas University.
During the course of her doctoral research, Bharathi S. Rai published twelve research articles in national and international peer-reviewed journals. In addition, she presented her research papers at three national-level seminars, reflecting her active engagement with academic discourse in the field of English literature.
An accomplished academic, Dr Bharathi S. Rai holds MA and MPhil degrees in English Literature and is also a law graduate. She is currently serving as the Head of the Department of English and Public Relations Officer at St Philomena Autonomous College, where she continues to contribute significantly to academics and institutional outreach.
Congratulating her on this academic achievement, Very Rev. Fr Lawrence Mascarenhas, Correspondent of the College, and Rev. Dr Anthony Prakash Monteiro, Principal of St Philomena Autonomous College, lauded her dedication, scholarship and commitment to higher education.
Dr Bharathi S. Rai has expressed gratitude to the principals of the institution who supported her throughout her academic journey, her research guide Dr Manjula K. T., colleagues, students and family members, all of whom extended their best wishes on the occasion.