Sir,
I have been reading in your newspaper about the issue of naming the Mysuru-Bengaluru Expressway which is likely to be opened by our Prime Minister Narendra Modi by February end this year.
While some VIPs want the Expressway to be named after Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV, Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha, who is primarily responsible to get this Expressway work done expeditiously, has favoured the name of River Kaveri, naming it as ‘Kaveri Expressway.’
In recent times, we have been seeing politicians and social activists showing much admiration to Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV, whose contribution for the economic development, social reformation, health and education was unparalleled compared to the other Maharajas and Nawabs of India during the British Raj. Of course, we are happy that Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV, whom Mahatma Gandhi called the ‘Rajarishi’ and his administration ‘Rama Rajya,’ is getting his due recognition at least now, though late, under BJP Government.
However, in the matter of naming institutions, public buildings, game sanctuaries, welfare schemes and infrastructure facilities after one person only seems narcissistic and may not be a good idea; no matter we become sentimental and highly respectful to that great person. It will be like Nehru-Gandhi family’s entitlement for such honour of giving their own names to innumerable institutions, public buildings, schemes and more.
This should not be the case with Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV. Already there are three iconic landmarks, namely Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS), K.R. Circle (with statue), Krishna Rajendra Hospital (K.R. Hospital) bearing this Maharaja’s name. Besides, the two towns — Krishnaraja Nagar (K.R. Nagar) in Mysuru district and Krishnarajpet (K.R. Pet) in Mandya district — too are named after the erstwhile Maharaja. To this list, MP Pratap Simha has added two more — ‘Wodeyar Express’ train and Maharaja Nalwadi Krishna Raja Wadiyar Airport (K.R. Airport).
Even the former four-time MP of Wadiyar family, Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar, could not do this. But the young MP Pratap Simha could do it. All these years nobody had thought of honouring Wadiyar in this way.
Similarly, it was MP Pratap Simha who got the name of Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV to Mandakalli Airport which will in a few years time become an international airport. Therefore, I hope that Pratap Simha’s suggestion would be taken in right spirit by the VIPs towards whom Pratap Simha has much respect and deference.
Yes. Why not? When in UP one highway is named ‘Namami Gange’ and another ‘Yamuna’ while in MP a highway is named ‘Narmada’, all names of rivers, why we, specially Kannadigas, not name the now pride of a Mysuru-Bengaluru highway, as ‘Kaveri Expressway’? Who knows, smart Tamilians may give this name to their highway leaving us embarrassed! We have just one chance to do so. Now. Mother Kaveri deserves only National Highway of this size, 10-lane, to bear her name. Not any country road or a bylane. We should not miss this opportunity to honour Mother Kaveri.
In Star of Mysore dated Jan. 8, I have seen Pratap Simha’s reasoning for proposing the name ‘Kaveri Expressway.’ I am inclined to agree with him and my opinion is that the name ‘Kaveri Expressway’ is the right one, all things considered.
– K.B. Ganapathy, Senior Journalist, Mysuru, 9.1.2023
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Why all this hullabaloo ? The Road existed for many years and no one named the Roads between towns in the past !
Roads were always known as SH-XY or NH-XY !
It is ludicrous to see KGB butting in in his own paper as a Senior Journalist ! Common you do not have to stoop to butter Pratap Simha ! For the record Mysore Airport is yet to be named after Nalavadi ? In any case after naming BIA as KIA and installing a humongous statue of KG and even naming a circle in Mysore after him, one do not want this kind of gratis ! Glorify whoever you want !
lastly how many places have been named after Deendayal Upadhyaya since 2014 Mr. Pratap Simha ?
Hello Raja Chandra
It is KBG, that is KB Ganapathy , I guess the ubiquitous SOM owner who bequeathed his paper to his son Vikram, after decades of slogging Nehru-Gandhi dynasty on the evils of dynastic obsession.
The Wadiyars were nothing, without their supremely capable Dewans , who conceptualised, planned and implemented the projects with the British Rulers’ blessing.
This is a civil engineering work, and what better name it can have other than Sir MV? He transformed the entire swathe of land across Mandya into a fertile bowl . He was the reason Nalwadi Wadiyar glowed, and any superlatives about Nalwadi duly belong to Sir MV, alone.
Given that this Highway is likely to be flooded many months a year, and the flooding getting worse in monsoon months, the name of Kaveri ( Cauveri) seems appropriate.
Mr Ganapathy has always been mesmerised by MP Simha, and elevated him to the level of next leader of India in one of his articles. MP Simha is not going to stop at this, he is planning Hassan-Kodagu-Kerala Highway too. He enthusiastically promoted the Vande Bharat express. He knows fully well the thinking of his leader Narendra Modi who wants to oblige the CMs of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, in enabling the Tamils and Keralites to easily arrive in Greater Mysore and settle After allm Modi needs more More \keralite and Tamil MPs elected to Loka Sabha..
Wait a minute-Modi Highway, does not sound that bad, is it?
Hey Raja Chandra
Here you go again putting your foot into your mouth posting inane comments!
Unlike you, a mere deluded scribbler, KB Ganapathy( KBG) is a serious journalist who has to his credit the development of the SOM, unlike you a non-entity. There is nothing wrong in calling himself a senior journalist,, and writing this email, as the SOM is currently managed by his son. Your small brain seems unable to fraspo this simple fact. Again for your small brain,-it is KBG and NOT KGB! Well there you inflicted yourself!!
@Raja Chandra
What are you saying? For once, could be specific and clear. Of course keep aside that bottle of firewater!
OK, Raja Chandra
We will name this expressway as : Raja Chandra Expressway. But people will ask, Raja Chandra, who?
What should we tell them about you?
Mr Ganapathy is well known, but you?