By V.K. Natraj and Rameshwari Varma (Former members of the faculty of IDS)

Rameshwar Prasad Misra (R.P. Misra), former Professor of Geography and Founder-Director of the Institute of Development Studies (IDS), University of Mysore (UoM), passed away in Allahabad on Apr. 16.  In his demise, the academic world has lost a great institution-builder and a true visionary. 

Although he left Mysuru in 1979, Misra and his family never lost their fascination for this city and continued to keep contact with the large number of friends they made here. Mysuru was home to Misras from 1964 onwards. And this is especially true of their children, two daughters and three sons, all of whom do their parents proud.

RP, as he was generally referred to, made a difference to the UoM in many ways. He was always supportive of inquiry and research. Also he was drawn to inter-disciplinary work.  It is as a result of this that the idea of a Centre devoted to Development Studies took shape in his mind. 

In late 60s and early 70s, several Centres of Development Studies were started in India. RP’s effort was more difficult for many reasons.  Here he was, an outsider and heading a Department which could not appeal to the State directly for funds except for projects and the like and yet he was determined to set up an institute and he did. In this he was supported by the then Vice-Chancellor Prof. D. Javaregowda and D.V. Urs, later Registrar and Vice-Chancellor of the University.  With his contacts and reputation, RP was able to secure projects and training programmes from various Departments of the Central and State Governments. One of them which brought recognition to the Institute was the Drought Prone Area Programme.

In order to expand the scope and student strength of the Institute (IDS), RP was at his innovative best.  IDS started its teaching programme with a Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning.  From the second batch it ran on the semester pattern and over the years began to attract deputed students from Government. 

In addition to this, there came a Master’s degree in Development Planning.  This course was unique. A student was admitted to the Diploma in Development Planning.  On successful completion she could go on to a second diploma, in Agricultural Planning, and if that too was completed she would secure a Master’s in Development Planning. Alternatively he/she could leave after the first diploma and have something to show for it, an idea now mooted by the New Education Policy (NEP).

Another path-breaking idea of his was to introduce a course in Environmental Planning.  This was before the subject acquired the importance it has in recent times.  If nothing else this alone would mark him out as a visionary. The Karnataka State Agricultural Marketing Board entrusted an evaluation project to IDS. With that contact, RP was able to persuade the Board to fund in large measure a Master’s course in Agricultural Marketing Management. For several years, this course had reserved places for overseas students and we can all recall many youngsters from African countries in particular. The course now runs under a                different name.

RP’s contacts with the UN and its affiliates were phenomenal.  So too with other centres in different parts of the world. Many from IDS trained at the Settlement Study Centre in Israel and this at a time when India’s relations with Israel were not developed adequately.

A notable achievement of his was to negotiate with Ford Foundation for a major grant which included acquisition of present premises of IDS, Leela Vihar, apart from funds for travel for the faculty and the building up of a library.

Probably RP’s lasting contributions were grooming a relatively young faculty which could work together as a team and at the same time imbibe the values he cherished such as striving for equity and cultivating a humane approach to development. He has left his family and a large number of friends and associates poorer by his absence.