Mysore/Mysuru: Rich tributes were paid to Prof. J.R. Laxmanrao, founder of Karnataka Rajya Vijnana Parishat and Science Littérateur on his birth centenary celebrations in city on Thursday.

Speaking at a function organised by Karnataka Rajya Vijnana Parishat, Mysuru Unit and District Kannada Sahitya Parishat here,  Prof. P. Venkataramaiah, former Vice-Chancellor, Kuvempu University, Shivamogga, said that Prof. Rao had evinced keen interest in Science Literature in Kannada and established Vijnana Parishat to popularise science writing. 

“He was a great Professor and had served as a reputed Kannada Littérateur in University of Mysore lexicon. At the same time, he was a great Science Writer who had organised several programmes for the growth of his pet subject.”

“Prof. Rao started two periodicals, ‘Vijnana Karnataka’ and ‘Manavika Karnataka’ on behalf of Kuvempu Study Centre, University of Mysore and strove hard to promote scientific temperament in society.” 

After coming to know that Kerala Shastra Sahitya Parishat was spreading scientific temperament among villages through group discussions, Prof. Rao personally visited Kerala to study it and started Vijnana Parishat in Karnataka to create a similar atmosphere here too. He established Karnataka Rajya Vijnana Parishat . Spreading the activities of Parishat to other places is the best way to pay tribute to the great soul, Prof. Venkataramaiah added.

Dr. Y.D. Rajanna, President, District Kannada Sahitya Parishat, said that Prof. Rao had started Vijnana Parishat to take science to length and breadth of the State and his dream should be fulfilled by Parishat members.

Dr. A.N. Rajendra, Paediatrician, C. Krishnegowda, State Unit Secretary of Vijnana Parishat, R. Ananthram, District Convenor, Vidyashankar, son of Prof. Laxman Rao, H.L. Satish, Donor-member of Vijnana Parishat, Maddikere Gopal, former President of District Kannada Sahitya Parishat and others were present.

Prof. Laxmanrao has made an immense contribution to Science and Kannada Literature.  An award must be instituted in his name for Best Science Writers by Karnataka Science and Technology Academy.

– Dr. Y.D. Rajanna.