“Failing to propagate Swami Vivekananda and Sir M. Visvesvaraya’s achievements is nothing but opposing nation’s growth”

Mysore/Mysuru: Maintaining that failing to propagate the preachings of Swami Vivekananda and achievements of Sir M. Visvesvaraya to the coming generation is akin to opposing the nation’s growth, acclaimed writer and Saraswati Samman awardee Dr. S.L. Bhyrappa opined that people should shun such moves which impede the progress of the nation.

He was speaking after releasing writer Dr. D.S. Jayappa Gowda’s (DSJ) felicitation volume titled ‘Jayasiri’ at a programme organised by Dr. DSJ Hitaishi Balaga at Sri Rama Mandira on New Kantharaj Urs Road in Krishnamurthypuram here on Saturday.

Noting that Jayappa Gowda chose Sir M. Visvesvaraya’s contributions and achievements as Dewan of Mysore for his research studies, Dr. Bhyrappa alleged that, however, some intellectuals were falsely propagating that Sir MV had no role in the construction of KRS Dam and that he (Sir MV) was opposed to reservation.

Dr. Jayappa Gowda’s work is a perfect answer to all those who are criticising Sir MV, he opined. 

Asserting that Jayappa Gowda’s work contains comprehensive information about Sir MV’s achievements, he observed that the book can be translated into English.

Recalling the history behind the formation of Kannada Sahitya Parishat, Dr. Bhyrappa said that the representative body of Kannadigas came into being after Sir MV, who gave utmost prominence to Kannada in administrative matters, thought that an institution was needed for preparing a Kannada dictionary, Thesaurus  and other books that contained the right administrative terms in Kannada. The then Mysore Maharaja too supported the idea and thus the Kannada Sahitya Parishat came into being, he pointed out.

Referring to the construction of Swami Vivekananda Memorial in Mysuru, Dr. Bhyrappa said that the city’s Sri Ramakrishna Ashram has planned to construct the Memorial at the NTM School premises in the heart of the city, which is in fact, a matter of pride for all Mysureans. But some people were opposing the Memorial by bringing forward the NTM Kannada School into the picture, he regretted. However, the Karnataka High Court has ruled in favour of Sri Ramakrishna Ashram, he noted.

Asserting that Ramakrishna Ashram has exhaustively worked for Kannada, the veteran writer bemoaned that these individuals were talking of moving the Supreme Court claiming that NTM school has a heritage value.

Maintaining that Sri Ramakrishna Ashram has contributed a lot for the cause of Kannada, he lamented that some persons were speaking wrongly of the Ashram, without knowing it.

Strongly supporting the construction of the Memorial at the proposed site, Dr. Bhyrappa said that the Memorial, featuring a cultural and spiritual youth centre, will be a boon for the younger generation.

Pointing out some persons are criticising him, Dr. DeJaGow (now late) and Dr. C.P. Krishnakumar (CPK) for supporting the Ashram for  construction of Viveka Memorial, he said that it is important to note here that the Ashram has published more than 450 books in Kannada, which is more than what a University can do.

Stating that Sri Ramakrishna Ashram had also influenced the life of Poet Laureate Kuvempu, he said that the Ashram has contributed a lot to the society by educating thousands of students over the years.

Recalling his own example, Dr. Bhyrappa said, “My son was too mischievous in his childhood days. So I sent him to Mysuru Ramakrishna Ashram for studies. After studying and learning at the Ashram, my son completely changed his attitude and grew into a responsible citizen. Such is the ‘Samskara’ that the Ashram teaches to students.”

Reiterating that the place where Swami Vivekananda stayed in Mysuru is the right spot for the construction of the Memorial, he opined that there was no substance in the opposition to the construction of the Memorial, when the Government itself is supportive of it.

Dr. D.S. Jayappa Gowda couple were honoured on the occasion. Vangipura Mutt Seer Sri Ilai Alwar Swamiji graced the occasion. Writer H.M. Nagarajrao spoke about the book. Dr. CPK presided.

Former Chairman of Kuvempu Bhasha Bharathi Prof. Pradhan Gurudatta, District Kannada Sahitya Parishat Mysuru President Dr. Y.D. Rajanna, former Presidents  of District Kannada Sahitya Parishat M. Chandrashekar and Maddikere Gopal, Mysuru Ranganath and Dr. MGR Urs were present.