Mysuru: Mysuru Citizens Voice (MCV) has announced a week-long programme to commemorate the death anniversary of Maharaja Rajarshi Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, with a series of seminars and cultural discussions scheduled from August 3 to 8 at the Government Maharaja Sanskrit College in Mysuru.

The organisation will also use the occasion to renew its long-standing demands for greater recognition of the Wadiyar ruler’s contributions, including declaring June 4 as ‘Mysuru Day’ and conferring the Bharat Ratna on him posthumously.

Week-long seminars from August 3

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, MCV convener K. Anand said seminars will be held from August 3 to August 7, between 3 pm and 5 pm, while the valedictory programme is scheduled for August 8 from 10 am to 12 noon.

The event is being organised with the support of the Government Maharaja Sanskrit College, URSU Mandali, Sudharma Sanskrit daily newspaper, Samsrushti Agri, Sunaada Foundation, Entelika.com, and citizens of Mysuru.

Focus on contributions of the Wadiyar dynasty

According to the organisers, the seminar series will highlight the life and contributions of prominent members of the Mysuru royal family, including:

  • Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar
  • Maharani Kempananjammanni (Vani Vilas)
  • Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar
  • Jayachamaraja Wadiyar

The discussions will examine their contributions to education, governance, social reforms, culture and nation-building, with experts expected to speak on the lasting legacy of the Wadiyar rulers.

Signature campaign for ‘Mysuru Day’

MCV has renewed its demand to declare June 4, the birth anniversary of Rajarshi Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, as ‘Mysuru Day’.

To garner public support, the organisation has launched a signature campaign backing the proposal and intends to submit the signatures to the authorities.

The organisation believes that officially recognising the day would honour the ruler’s role in shaping modern Mysuru through progressive governance and institution-building.

Memorandum ahead of PM’s visit

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposed visit to Mysuru, MCV has prepared a memorandum urging the Centre to confer the Bharat Ratna on Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar posthumously.

The organisation has also recommended that his name be considered for the Nobel Prize for Sustainable Development and sought the installation of his portrait in the new Parliament building.

Among its other demands are:

  • Declaration of Mysuru as a Heritage City
  • Preparation of a comprehensive vision document for the city’s future
  • Constitution of a 20-member Expert High Power Citizen Committee
  • A Rs 1,000 crore special package for conserving Mysuru’s heritage buildings

Vision for heritage and sustainable development

The memorandum also proposes declaring Madhuvana, the Wadiyar family’s cemetery, as a protected heritage site.

MCV has suggested organising international Yoga and Ayurveda wellness conclaves, promoting India’s traditional knowledge systems, and celebrating Mysuru Day as a street festival with a zero-vehicle zone around the Mysuru Palace.

The organisation has further proposed establishing the Nalwadi Cauvery Corridor (NCC) and the Nalwadi Cauvery Basin Authority (NCBA) for integrated management of the Cauvery river basin.

It also outlined a broader vision for Mysuru’s sustainable development through heritage conservation, modern agriculture, decentralised manufacturing and knowledge-based services.

MCV members Nagashree, Nachiketh, Sachchidananda and Achchuth Rao were also present at the press conference.