'Name Varsity after Nalwadi'

These were among the various opinions aired at the seminar ‘Should UoM award honorary doctorate to Rajarshi Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar?’ organised by the Mysore Kannada Vedike at Nataraja College here on Wednesday.

Mahesh said that it is an insult to include Nalwadi in the same league as a sportstar who goes on sale during IPC auctions.

Former Vice Chancellor, Kuvempu University Dr P Venkataramaiah opined that there was no other award equivalent to the ‘Rajarshi’ title given none other than the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi. He said that it would be insult tot he great king if the university bestows honorary degree on him.

Instead, he wanted,  the university should urge the government to confer the Bharat Ratna on the late king, he added.

Dr Venkataramaiah bemoaned that there was no rule which mandates universities to grant honorary doctorates. But now all universities are competing with each other to award honorary doctorates, he noted.

The decision of the university has become a major embarrassment for the Governor. Now the Governor is in a catch-22 situation, wherein he can neither deny or accept the UoM’s recommendation.

 He said that for the outstanding work of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, even the Bharat Ratna would be less. He said that the if the varsity wants to give to the doctorate then it should not be along with others. The syndicate decision should be revoked, he added.

While Manasagangothri is celebrating its golden jubilee, a statue of the former king should be installed and people should be informed about his achievements, he said.
Journalist Krishna Vattam said that there was no necessity for UoM to award the doctorate to the former ruler. But, the decision can not be termed as wrong.

If the university feels that is doing the wrong thing then they should urge for the Bharat Ratna. However, Nalwadi would always remain as the Rajarshi in the hearts of the people, he opined.

Lecturer Prof K C Basavaraj, however, supported the UoM’s decision. He said that contribution of Nalwadi was immense. But for the younger generation to understand his contributions , it is necessary to award the honorary doctorate.

Historian Prof P V Nanjaraje Urs, former mayor Narasimha Iyengar, Hosamutt Seer Sri Chidananda were present.