No other CMs faced as many problems as I did: S.M. Krishna

Mysuru: “No other Chief Minister in the State has faced as many problems as I did during my five-year term. Hence, when I look at other Chief Ministers today, I am disgusted with their behaviour,” said former Chief Minister of Karnataka and former External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna.

He was speaking during the inauguration of the new wing ‘Neuro Zone’ (Brain-Spine Institute & Research Centre) at Gopala Gowda Shanthaveri Memorial Hospital in Nazarbad here this morning and said that it was raining problems during his tenure right from Cauvery water issue, to kidnapping of Dr. Rajkumar by forest brigand Veerappan to the Supreme Court strictures on Contempt of Court.

“However, I was able to face all problems with equanimity without getting perturbed because of my close proximity to Suttur Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji who has always been a guiding light through all difficult times,” he said.

Recalling his association with Suttur Mutt, he said that he knew the Seers right from his father’s days and he has continued with the tradition. “I have been an ardent disciple of the Suttur Seers and whenever I am in trouble, I always sought their views and they never disappointed me. Even now, all I do is just call the Swamiji on the mobile phone and he will patiently hear to the problems and then my confidence returns,” he said.

Lauding the efforts of Dr. H.V. Shushrutha, Krishna said that unlike many who go for higher studies abroad and never return, Dr. Shushrutha who returned to mother earth has started this new venture ‘Neuro Zone,’ which is going to benefit the people.

“His father Dr. H.C. Vishnumurthy was not only my relative but also a friend and a well-wisher who never hesitated in calling a spade a spade and as a result I benefited from his straight talks, all the time,” he said.

Krishna also revealed how he wanted to participate in the US Presidential election when he was there in 1960 and the Presidential candidate was John F. Kenned who had come out with the “New Frontier” (“I hope that no American, considering the really critical issues facing this country, will waste his franchise and throw away his vote by voting either for me or against me because of my religious affiliation,” he said. “It is not relevant.”) speech which had electrified the voters. Similarly, Dr. Shushrutha will be enthused to serve the people, he added.

Suttur Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji, who inaugurated the ‘Neuro Zone’ said that it would be really useful to the patients with mental illness and help in treating patients with depression. Talking about Gopala Gowda, he said that Gowda was a unique principled politician who believed in the slogan ‘one vote one note.’ He borrowed Rs.5,000 from his supporters for the election expense and returned it after the elections, which speaks volumes about his character as a politician.

On Krishna, the Seer said that it was only because of his untiring efforts that Bengaluru got a brand image and hence he truly stands out as a politician with a difference.

Krishna released a book titled ‘Vyakti Alla, Shakti: Dr. H.C. Vishnumurthy” written by Sathyalingaraju. Neuro Zone MD Dr. Shushrutha, Dhanya Shushrutha, Dr. H.V. Santhrupth, MLA Dr. Yathindra and others were present.