New Delhi, Jul 18 (UNI) Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday paid tributes to late Maharaja of Mysore Jaya Chamaraja Wadiyar on the occasion of his birth centenary describing him as a popular mass hero who liked to stay in touch with people and fitted the icon of the ideal ruler as envisaged by philosopher Chanakya in the economics.
Inaugurating virtually the valedictory programme on the birth centenary celebrations of late Maharaja of Mysore (Mysuru) Jaya Chamaraja Wadiyar, Mr Naidu said it was an opportune moment to remember a remarkable ruler and an able administrator who built a strong and self-reliant state of Mysore, "one of the most progressive states in pre-Independence India".
Called the "Dakshina Bhoja" because of his unparalleled patronage of arts, literature and culture, the late Maharaja was an ardent supporter of entrepreneurship and actively encouraged the establishment of an industrial facility in Bengaluru by a company called Hindustan Aircraft Ltd in 1940 which later became Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.
Noting that his 'Jayachamaraja Grantha Ratna Mala' series had enriched Kannada language and literature, Mr Naidu pointed out that the Maharaja felt that people must be empowered to govern themselves. "A democrat at heart, the Maharaja had established a responsible government in the Mysore State by setting up the Constituent Assembly and an interim popular Government with K C Reddy as Chief Minister," he added.

Today's event was organised under the aegis of His Highness Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar Foundation.
UNI SD GK