Profile of a Southern State—Mysore ( from a Correspondent)
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July 21,1956 THE ECONOMIC WEEKLY Profile of a Southern State—Mysore ( From a Correspondent) IN the thirties the legend flourished reans loved and still continue to There is no difference between it that Mysore was a 'model state', their land so much that they preferr and. for instance, the Public Works and legends die hard. Sir Mirza Is ed a bare living within their State Department. Vacancies are classi mail, who was then the Dewan of to affluence outside. fied into 'A' and B' categories and Mysore, had a Hair for publicity advertised m the Mysore Govern which would have done credit to a Mysore University ment Gazette Brahmins are not Hollywood actress. He was an able Things have changed, however, eligible to apply for 'B' jobs and administrator, and he enjoyed the over the years. And not for the Non-Brahmins include besides Non- confidence of Shri Krishnarajendra better. The same people who were Brahmins, Jains, Christians. Muslims, Wodeyar, the then Maharaja. He so irritatingly smug about Mysore Parsis. Only one in five jobs is an 'A' did not have to he responsible to a a few years ago are now bitterly vacancy this does not mean, how volatile party as Sri Hanumanthayya critical. Such talk is particularly ever, that every fifth job is one for has to be. Autocracy sometimes common among the teachers in the which Brahmins may apply. That makes for efficiency and Sir Mirza University of Mysore. It should not is what the simple-minded would was an efficient and benevolent be interpreted, however, that the think. Mysoreans are subtle. It is autocrat. It is true that he did a quinine in their talk is due to a enough if the one-in-five ratio is re good deal for Mysore, but it is often greater altruism or- insight into the alised over all the appointments made forgotten that a firm foundation was forces working in the Stale today. during a certain period. This often laid for Sir Mirza's achievements The University is not exactly a nest means that the classification of any firstly, by the efficient administrative for brilliant minds. In fact, it is particular vacancy as 'A' or 'B' is structure which the British rulers well-known that over1 the last three determined by a clerk especially, built during the years 1831-1881 or four decades the University has if the officer is not alert. It is more when they ruled the State directly, been systematically trying to blow likely however. that the clerk in and secondly, by a series of able De- its brains out. and has succeeded in course of time coaches the officer wans like Rangacharlu, Seshadri its task. Once upon a time the Uni to co-operate with him. Clerks are Iyer (under whom the first hydro versity boasted of such scholars as static whiIe officers are mobile. And electric project in India came into Radhakrishnan Radhakumud Muk- clerks can intrigue. A good officer existence in 1903). and that grand herji. K T Shah, A B Wadia. M listens to his clerks if he wants to old man of Mysore. Mokshagundam Hiriyanna and several others less be happy and prosperous. Visweswarayya. A sound foundation well-known but still very able. Today is never seen while minarets and there are only two all-India names. Falling Standards cupolas for which Sir Mirza had an Prof K V Puttappa. and B R Sesha- If a man has enough influence with inordinate fondness are. char the Zoologist. The former, a a high official or influential politician In one respect, however. Sir Mirza distinguished Kannada poet, has or minister, he tries to get a thing was unique he loved gardens and just (15th June 1956) been posted as done through the latter. But then beautiful cities. He contributed a the Vice-Chancellor. That Prof only a favoured few who belong to great deal to the beauty of Mysore Puttappa is an academic man to his the right castes and. who are, in ad State, and especially to its two linger tips is not denied by his worst dition, related to important people, capitals. Bangalore and Mysore. In detractors but why should he be are able to get things done at that condemned to run the immensely- Krishnarajasagar he designed an in level. The rest have to cultivate complicated affairs of an elephantine uminated garden with flowing water clerks. Not an easy job as clerks university0 But then poets are not and coloured lights, which is the are temperamental as well as poorly always content to remain unacknow pride of every Mysorean except n few paid. ledged legislators. Cleaning the cranky souls who prefer the dark Augean Stables should be child's The candidates go before the Pub and majestic beauty of the vast man- play, comparatively speaking. It lic Service Commission in which the made lake to the tawdry magnficance is as corrupt as a Chinese non-official members are active as of multi-coloured bulbs. There was Heaven, and what it needs is a man they regard themselves to be the another thing which Sir Mirza did- who has a deep sense of academic watchdogs of the "backward castes". he sold the idea of Mysore being a values as well as the administrative All non-Brahmin castes are "back 'model state' even to the people of ability of one of the apler ministers ward" including the powerful Lin- that State. They came to believe in the Union Cabinet. And. of gayats and Okkaligas. Even in an that their state was Ram Rajya did course, power which a Vice-Chan 'A' vacancy, a better-qualified Bra not the great Mahatma himself be cellor in Mysore does not have today. hmin may be turned down in favour stow the title? Good Mysoreans be He does not have the power even to of a non-Brahmin who has the mini lieved that Mysore was the best of appoint on his own a lecturer on Rs mum qualifications necessary for the all places on this earth. Incompar 100 per month. Such an appoint .post. A third class pass in the BA able climate, a potentially rich State ment, if the vacancy is of more than Honours gives a -candidate 'minimum greatly diversified in its beauty, six months' duration, must be made qualification' fof a University lec cheap living, conditions, and many by the members of the Public Ser turer's post. In brief, the mode of State-owned industries—not only vice Commission. selection has ensured the weeding iron and steel but paper, cement, out of the brighter in favour of the sugar, sandalwood oil, soaps, fer Mysore University is one hundred duller. Yet. recently, a committee tilisers and several others. Myso percent a limb of the Government. of the University Council went into 859 July 21, 1956 THE ECONOMIC WEEKLY the question of falling standards, of dealing with porters and finding close to the Brahmins in the pro and reported that nothing was wrong transport. The Council Members can portion of the educated to the non- with the staff! never be seen without a little bunch educated. (But both Lingayats and Okkaligas rank as 'backward castes' The opinions of outside 'experts' of obvious admirers who keep them and would fight to the last to retain are taken into consideration in the posted on the less publicised affairs their privileged position.) But while appointment of professors. But in of the University. Every matter Brahmin dominance is a thing of India in 1956 AD experts are accom- comes under the scrutiny of this the past and the immediate future modating people. ( And two non- Council appointments, promotions, for Brahmins is certainly bleak, Lin- Official members are also included examinerships, tabulatorships, in gayat power and influence are wax In Selection Committees for profes crements, scholarships. transfers, ing strong. They seem to have deep sors.! The things work in such a leave, deputations, etc. A Lingayat er roots in the soil than Brahmins, way that only local candidates apply member becomes the self-appointed and many of them are wealthy land for professorships. Let me explain. promoter of Lingayat interests, a lords, traders and officials. They A candidate who has the necessary Brahmin member of Brahmin in wield a great deal of political power. 'minimum qualification' becomes an terests, and an Okkaliga of Okkali- They have a reputation for great assistant professor. ( There is con gas. Deals are struck between mem unity it is said that no Lingayat stant, complaint that seniority is bers, and a Vice-Chancellor usually will ever vote for a non-Lingayat. overlooked, but very few complain tries to see that he keeps out of There? is probably more poetic than that, ability is overlooked.) Assist trouble and that his interests are not literal truth in that statement. But ant professors apply for professor affected adversely. If the Council in one respect the Lingayats are uni- ships and the latter carry such low is meeting at Bangalore. he uses que: they have a strong monastic salaries that properly qualified non- such leisure as he has in seeing minis organization, and the heads of the Mysoreans are not tempted to apply. ters, and higher officials in the monastic orders not only look after A professor's salary is Rs 400 p rn secretariat. They keep relationships the welfare of Lingayat souls but and goes up eventually to Rs 700. oiled. His path is indeed a razor's also after the political and economic Thus only local horse? run for the edge. interests of their hock.