Mysore/Mysuru: The monolith statue of erstwhile Mysore ruler Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, installed in MMC&RI premises facing Cheluvamba Hospital building of K.R. Hospital by the 1962 batch of MMC&RI with the support from MAA (Mysore Medical College Alumni Association) on Nov. 7, was unveiled by member of the erstwhile royal family Pramoda Devi Wadiyar this morning.

The monolith statue, sculpted from ‘Krishna Shile’ (Black Granite), which is 8 ft. in height, was sculpted at Shivarapatna in Kolar district. Standing at an impressive height, the statue is supported by a half-foot base plate and is elevated on a 3.5-foot high monolithic platform. It features a granite-clad design with four faces.

The inscriptions engraved on its sides bear the name of Krishnaraja Wadiyar, his honorary title “Rajarishi” in English, a Kannada translation of this title and a dedication from the 1962 batch students expressing gratitude  to their alma mater MMC&RI.

Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, whose far-sightedness led to the establishment of this venerable medical college, has left an indelible mark. MMC&RI, one of the oldest medical colleges in India, was founded in 1924 under his visionary leadership. This esteemed institution is set to celebrate its centenary in 2024.

Diabetologist and programme organiser Dr. V. Lakshminarayan,  President of MAA Dr. C.D. Sreenivasa Murthy, Dr. Udaya Shankar, MMC&RI Dean Dr. K.R. Dakshayani, former Chairman of Kuvempu Bhasha Bharathi Pradhikara Dr. Pradhan Gurudutta, former VC of Kuvempu University Dr. K. Chidananda Gowda, Principal of JSS Medical College Dr. H. Basavana Gowdappa, Adichunchanagiri University VC  Dr. M.A. Shekar, Mysore Palace Board Deputy Director  T.S. Subramanya, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) VC Dr. M.K. Ramesh, Professor of Surgery at K.R. Hospital Dr. Dinesh, Editor  of ‘Vaidya Vartha’ Dr. M.G.R. Urs, Dr. Chandrashekar Shetty and others were present.