KR Wadiyar, Visvesvaraya remembered

Chairman of Kuvempu Bhasha Bharathi, Bangalore, Pradhan Gurudutta on Wednesday hailed Rajarshi Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar and Sir M Visvesvaraya for their contributions towards the development of then Mysore State.

Delivering main address at the jayanthi of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar organised by The Institution of Engineers in association with Chutuku Sahitya Parishat, Pradhan Gurudutta said both the great personalities have left their indelible mark in the development of the State.

Saying that both the erstwhile maharaja and his dewan Sir M V as  Visvesvaraya is popularly known have striven for the welfare of the people. Mahatma Gandhiji during his tour to Mysore aptly described Nalwadi as ‘Rajarshi’, suffice to say why the maharaja is still credited as an architect of modern Mysore.

Highlighting the developmental works that were undertaken during the reign of Nalwadi, Pradhan Gurudutta said; the maharaja founded Mysore University (University of Mysore) one of the oldest varsities, in the year 1916.

He was the first chancellor of the same varsity. Buoyed by his vision, the maharaja was also nominated as the chancellor of Benares Hindu University and was also conferred doctor of law by that varsity.

Corruption that has become talk of the town in the recent days, was in prevalence earlier too and maharaja had formed a dedicated panel to check corruption.
Among his contributions, KRS dam, Maharani’s Girls High School which later became a college, Minto Eye Hospital, chamber of commerce, PKTB Sanatorium to name a few still stand.

It was Wadiyars who continued the legacy set by Vijayanagar rulers after the fall of the latter.

Visvesvaraya was earlier a secretary to the maharaja and was elevated to the position of dewan. Though a challenging project like a dam across KRS was funded by the royals, it was the engineering acumen in Visvesvaraya that built the vast facility, and stands strong still.

Differences

However, he had to step down following differences of opinion with the maharaja.
A commission headed by Miller, had recommended for extending the facility of reservation. Visvesvaraya criticised the recommendation arguing for considering the capability of a person in deciding the facility.

Chutuku Sahitya Parishat district unit president Dr M G R Urs, chairman of the Instiute A S Satish, secretary H T Anantha Padmanabha, convener K B Bhaskar and others were present.