Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev launched the H.H. Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar Foundation in Mysuru which aims to promote heritage conservation, art and culture besides taking up community development works, on Sunday.
Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, the patron of the foundation, said it has already launched a slew of conservation works in the city including the renovation of the Jaganmohan Palace, and the restoration of a temple at Chamundi Vihar near Bannur Road, among others.
The foundation, she said, was launched to take up works close to the heart of her late husband Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar who was keen on conservation of heritage. She said Trans-disciplinary University and G.N. Heritage have collaborated to take the concept forward.
Infosys Chairman Emeritus N.R. Narayana Murthy who was the chief guest, said the true worth of a nation was measured by how it cared for its less fortunate. He welcomed the launch of the foundation and described it as yet another example of the Wadiyar family putting the interest of society above all else. He cited the contributions from the period of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar onwards. He spoke of the opening of banks (SBM), the construction of a dam (KRS) educational institutions etc. as examples of the Wadiyars’ philosophy to improve the living condition of the people.
“Their philosophy was that the best use of power and money was not to acquire more of it but to do more for the betterment of the less fortunate,” said Mr. Murthy. The IT czar also urged the gathering to take up philanthropy.
This was followed by a talk and interaction with Sadhguru.