GT Devegowda recalls Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar’s efforts in building an equal society

MYSURU: From commissioning the construction of the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) Reservoir to pioneering social reform, many of which were geared towards empowerment of women, modern Mysuru, and to a significant extent, Bengaluru and Mandya districts, bear the indelible stamp of the legacy of the former monarch Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar. On Tuesday, people cutting across lines of socio-economic divide, came together to pay their respects to the visionary king to mark his 135th birth anniversary.
Mysuru district in-charge minister GT Devegowda paid tribute to the former maharaja, showering flowers on Nalwadi’s statue at KR Circle. “He ensured that people of all classes got justice. His contribution to building a society foregrounded in equality cannot be understated: It was Nalwadi’s resolve that ensured the implementation of the recommendations of Miller’s Commission that called for providing reservation to people from the vulnerable sections of society. He was a visionary, and an able administrator. His contributions must be recognised by both the present generation, and posterity. He established the University of Mysore and laid the foundation for a banking system in the state. Nalwadi loved all the citizens in his kingdom, irrespective of caste and creed,” said Devegowda.
Tourism minister SR Mahesh, who participated in the celebrations at KR Circle, recalled the sacrifices Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar had made for the welfare of his subjects. “He pledged the gold of the royal family to fund the construction of the Krishnaraja Sagar Dam. He is an inspiration, not just to me, but for many other political leaders,” Mahesh said.
A procession, enlivened by performances and songs of cultural troupes to the accompaniment of music by bands, was carried out by the Ursu Mandali from KR Circle, passing through several thoroughfares before ending at Kalamandira.
Member of Parliament for Mysuru Pratap Simha, mayor Pushpalatha Jagannath, and L Nagendra and SA Ramadas, respectively MLAs for Chamaraja and Krishnaraja constituencies, deputy commissioner Abhiram G Sankar, Mysuru City Corporation commissioner Shilpa Nag and city police commissioner KT Balakrishna were among those who participated in the celebrations.
‘Rename Mysuru airport after the king’
Historian PV Nanjaraja Urs on Tuesday reiterated a longstanding demand among many citizens of the city to name the Mysuru airport in the memory of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar. Listing the many virtues of the former king, Urs said, “Nalwadi strived to build a better society. His contributions to the development of Karnataka state, as a whole, are immense. So, as a mark of respect to the visionary monarch, the state government must rename the airport after Nalwadi.”
Mysuru district in-charge minister GT Devegowda assured Urs that he would discuss the possibility with the authorities concerned, and put his best foot forward to bring the demand to fruition.