Mysuru: Days after Mysuru witnessed the grand coronation of its new royal scion Yaduveer, the heritage city celebrated the 131st birth anniversary of his ancestor Maharaja Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, and former Maharaja of Mysuru on Thursday 4th June.
Celebrations galore
Various organizations paid tribute by offering floral tribute to the statue of Wadiyar at Krishnaraja Circle.
Members of the Bahujana Vidyarthi Sanga sang a song on Nalwadi highlighting his contributions towards the welfare of the citizens during his tenure as a Maharaja of Mysore province between 1894 until his death in 1940.
Likewise, several organizations organized special lectures and also took out a procession in city’s streets.
Heated exchange between DC and former Mayor
For the first time, district administration celebrated Wadiyar’s birth anniversary, albeit in a simple manner, by offering floral tributes. In the past it has always been the MCC that convened grand celebrations. This became a point of heated discussion between the former mayor of Mysuru and the DC, C. Shika..
After paying to floral tribute to Wadiyar statue, former Mysuru Mayor Purushothama, questioned DC C Shikha as to why the district administration, had not organized a grand celebration. He said, “the district administration is ignoring the contribution of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar”.
Responding to him, DC C Shikha said that the gram panchayat election moral code of conduct restricted district administration’s celebrations to a simple ceremeony. “ Though the moral conduct did not apply for city, it applies for district administration and thus we could not convene a public representatives meeting to arrange public function”, she said, defending the administration’s actions.
Purushothama however alleged that the DC always shows her negligence in organizing public functions to commemorate leaders. Later, MLA Vasu, Mayor R Lingappa and MP Pratap Simha intervened to calm down arguments.
Public also irked
Even the public were upset with the administrations, and political leaders for not celebrating the day in a grand manner and alleged that no officers, either MCC or District administration or political party leaders want to commemorate the birth anniversary of Nalwadi.
“The officers have no concern for Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar’s contributions towards the state. Now, officials are pointing fingers at one another. I hope all officers and political leaders are well educated and aware about the moral code of conduct. Even MCC Corporators are public leaders and are well aware about the moral code of conduct. Why could not they take the initiative? Why they are blaming district administration?” questioned A R Venkatesh, professor in a private college.
“ It is insult to the Maharaja who contributed towards social justice by introducing historical policies to ensure equality in the region”, he added.
He was of the opinion that the MCC could have celebrated the event more meaningfully if the District Administration informed it of its inability earlier.
“High time to highlight Wadiyar’s contributions”
Writer K S Bhagawan after paying tribute at Wadiyar’s statue said the time is high to highlight Wadiyar’s contributions and make them more popular. He urged the government authorities and educational institutions to bring out more literature on Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar and also to organize special lectures and events pertaining to Nalwadi.
