Mysore/Mysuru: To commemorate the 139th birth anniversary of erstwhile King of Mysore Sri Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, Karnataka Sena Pade distributed quintessential of the  Mysuru city ‘Mysore Pak’ to the tourists at the Southern Gate of city Palace, yesterday. DCP (Law and Order) M. Muthuraj inaugurated the event by offering flowers to the portrait of Nalwadi.

Speaking on the occasion, President of District Brahmana Mahasabha D.T. Prakash said the people of the State should always remember Nalwadi, who by his excellent administration and development works, set a new benchmark for other rulers of the country to emulate.

“The fact that he left his indelible footprints in almost every filed, like agriculture, irrigation, hydropower,  education, industry and health, apart from introducing and prioritising the concept of social justice and equality in administration,” he opined.

Stating that Nalwadi became the King of Mysore Kingdom at a very young age, Prakash said that by implementing the ‘Prajapratinidi Sabha’, he introduced Democratic system to the forefront. “Nalwadi believed that only education can bring required social reforms and established the University of Mysore in 1916 and bettered the lives of hundreds of families by lighting the Lamp of Education,” concluded Prakash.

Demands ‘Bharat Ratna’ for Nalwadi

President of Karnataka SenaPade, TejeshLokesh, who also spoke on the occasion, said that Nalwadi Wadiyar set up 270 Service Hospitals across the State which is a proof for his concern for the welfare of the people of his State. “Nalwadi constructed wide roads at Mysuru and Bengaluru, provided street lights, parks, best educational institutions and orphanges. The period of Nalwadi is rightly described as the ‘Golden Period’ of Mysore Kingdom. NalwdiKrishnaraja Wadiyar should be conferred with ‘BharataRatna’ award. The State Government should also declare his birthday as a Government Holiday,” demanded TejasLokesh.

State Vokkaliga Association Working President C.J. Gangadhar, Deputy Director of Mysore Palace Board T.S. Subramanya, Junior Vishnuvardhan Suresh Gold, Dr.ShantarajeUrs, Prabhushankara, C.H. Krishnaiah and others participated in the celebrations.