Mysore/Mysuru: Anathalaya Mysuru, the 135-year-old institution, is celebrating 181st birthday of its Founder Magge Venkatakrishnaiah (1844-1933) popularly known as “Mysore Thathaiah” on Sept.7 at Anathalaya quadrangle on Narayana Shastri Road in city at 4 pm.

Dr. V.B. Arathi, internationally acclaimed spiritual guide and motivational speaker, will deliver keynote address during Anathalaya’s Annual Day celebrations.

Ophthalmologists couple and Founders of Usha Kiran Charitable Trust — Dr. Uma Ravishankar and Dr. Ravishankar of Usha Kiran Eye Hospital in city — will be conferred the annual Thathaiah Award  while Dr. T.V. Sathyanarayana, Sanskrit scholar of Oriental Research Institute-fame and well-known for spiritual discourses, will be honoured with Thathaiah Sri Beneficiary Award for his Life- Time Achievements.

A.S. Nataraj, senior advocate of the city, will be the guest of honour. C.V. Gopinath, President of Anathalaya and former Additional Secretary to Government of India will preside.

Throughout its long existence, Anathalaya has been taking care of the poor and meritorious students, pursuing their college studies and education, by providing free boarding and lodging.

 As a prelude to this annual event, essay and debate competitions were held. Besides, blood donation camp was conducted under the guidance of Dr. Sriram of Bhagwan Pathological Labs and a Board Member of the Anathalaya administration.

And this year’s speciality was a Summit of Anathalaya Alumni organised on Aug.10, where the old student-beneficiaries reminisced their past apart from pouring out their experiences and giving various inputs to the present administration to improve the facilities to the present students at large. In all, there were 40 members of the Alumni Group who had registered online for the meet.

M. Venkatakrishnaiah, credited with pioneering work in the field of journalism in Mysore, wrote inspiring articles during the British reign which helped sow the seeds of nationalism.