Sir,

It is with shock and sadness I learnt about the passing away of Prof. S.K. Ananda Thirtha through Star of Mysore. Your news item about him gave only one side of his contribution to Mysuru. His involvement in organising cricket and chess tournaments to promote love for the youth in them and also to identify talents at young age is remarkable. Aficionados of these sports are aware of  his contribution.

However, there are other areas where he has been equally active. These are consumer movement and environmental protection.

Since the inception of MGP, and its sister organisation “Parisara,” Prof. Ananda Thirtha has been taking interest to promote twin activities of consumer and environmental protection. It was Parisara which, after seeing the desert-like environment around Lakshmikanta Temple in Hebbal, took up planting tree-saplings and developing “Smrithy Vana” (Memorial Park) there. The beautiful park one sees around the temple is the contribution of Parisara. Prof. Ananda Thirtha was active in these activities. He also was active in tree-hugging campaign when MCC wanted to fell trees near the Race Course and planting hundreds of trees around Mysuru.

Inspired by MGP convener C. V. Nagaraj who has conducted over 3,000 food adulteration demonstrations in and around the city, Prof. Ananda Thirtha went around schools and colleges with him giving talks on consumer rights and responsibilities. He has served MGP both as Secretary (2001-07) and Working President (2007-10).

I am sure that there must be innumerable students of Prof. Ananda Thirtha who must be remembering their teacher with fond memories and wanting to pay tributes and gratitude. One of the ways they can do is to take up active interest in two social causes he believed in and worked for.

– Bhamy V. Shenoy, MGP Convener