Srinivasan bats for conserving lakes

Even as the region recuperates from drought, ex-chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) M R Srinivasan reminded the present generation about the importance of conserving lakes.

He was speaking at the inauguration of Dasara Vidwat Goshti organised at Cauvery Auditorium at Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) campus here on Wednesday.

Srinivasan, who is also an advisor to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), reminded the audience that Mysore had several lakes during the pre-Independence era.

He said water management was possible as people of those times had understood the importance of storing water in lakes. Every small town had a small lake, he mentioned.

Discussing medicine, he said China was using traditional medicine along with modern day medicine in order to provide healthcare at an affordable cost to citizens. “In just 30 years, China has transformed and is providing much more to its people,” he said.

Speaking about the contributions of Mysore State, he said laying of canals transformed barren lands in Mandya into fertile lands. He said people had questioned Sir M Visvesvaraya on the need to spend exorbitant funds for the construction of canals.

However, now it turned into a lifeline for the people of Mandya and the result is a sight to behold on the way to Bangalore, he added.

District in-charge minister S A Ramdas, assistant professor of history, D D Urs Government FGC, Hunsur, Shalvapille Iyengar, historian Vasundhara Filliozat and member of French Academy Pirre Sylvain Filliozat were present.