On his last day in office as Vice - Chancellor of Mysore University, Prof. J. Shashidhara Prasad spoke to our correspondent in an interview about his achievements, the hurdles and challenges he faced and also about his critics. While lashing out at his critics saying “I do not need a certificate from Tughlaqs,” he was equally proud about his achievements during his 4 - year tenure. Here is the full text of the interview.

Did you ever feel embarrassed during your tenure?
Yes, while I was doing good work some persons behaved like Tughlaqs. They got some reports published in the press. Though it did not tarnish the image of the University, I felt bit embarrassed. When these Tughlaqs were busy getting such reports published, I could have approached the editors of such newspapers asking them to publish facts. But I did not do so, as I have received accolades from national and international dignitaries for my achievements. As such "I don't need a certificate from Tughlaqs."

Did you have dreams when you took over as Vice - Chancellor? How many of them have been realised?
I had no dreams while taking over as VC, but later I began to have dreams. All those dreams have been fulfilled.

What are your remarkable achievements? Are you satisfied with those achievements?
I can list many. Mysore University was in the red when I took over. They used to pay Rs. 42 lakh as interest annually. Now the situation has changed. Mysore University is the only University in India, which runs without Over Draft.

I got the entire campus whitewashed. Though I do not claim it as an achievement, in reality, it is also an achievement as it was not done for several years.

The Senate Bhavan was completed during my tenure.

The University rose to A+ grade from C grade. Ours is the only University in the entire country to enjoy this status. Pondicherry University is B+ and Hyderabad University is A.

There were only 270 foreign students in our University when I took over. Now, the number has risen to 1,500. Mysore University has gained international recognition.

Those employees who retire from service will get their entire retirement benefits on the day of their retirement itself. Even if I am out of station, the process will go on. There is no need to wait for me.

You claim that Mysore University has gained international recognition...
Yes. Recently H. K. Patil (former Minister and now Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council) came to me with a proposal to start National Centre for Social Sciences in Mysore University. I asked him why should he not do it either at Dharwad, his home district, or Bangalore.

He told me that he prefers only Mysore University as any course taught here gets international recognition. When this is the case, newspapers should probe into any allegation against the University and only then publish the facts. They should not write just be-cause someone says something.

Environmentalists were up – in - arms against you when you got felled some trees in Yuvaraja's campus. How did you feel about it?
During my tenure, 2,000 trees were planted in the campus. They cannot grow unless they are looked after well. I got a tanker to regularly water these plants. Environmentalists should notice this also. Is it not? Have they ever bothered to know how many trees I have planted? We felled trees (in Yuvaraja's campus) to create infrastructure for poor students who generally study here and who cannot afford to pay for education in private institutions.

Kukkarahalli Lake was restored with Rs. 1 crore loan from ADB during my tenure. I will tell you a funny thing. Instead of praising the work, the environmentalists are now asking me to fill the lake with water! As the canal bringing water to the lake has disappeared, where shall I bring water from?

Your father (Prof. D. Javare Gowda) was also the Vice - Chancellor of the same University. Did his experience help you in running the University in any manner?
We discuss many issues except Mysore University. I never sought his suggestions on University matters nor did he volunteer suggestions. He never interfered in the University administration.

Your name also figures in the Ph. D scandal involving Prof. K. S. Rangappa of Chemistry Department.
When the issue came to my notice, I said that it is really a very serious issue. I wrote to the Governor for a detailed probe into the issue. More over, the person who committed the offence has confessed to it. When I myself have demanded a probe how can I be termed as an accused? Just see the fun.

A complaint has been filed with Lok Ayukta in this regard...
Yes, Lok Ayukta has sought my statement also. Prof. Rangappa is a Scientist second only to me. He is highly intellectual. I can vouch for it.

What will you do after retirement?
It is not retirement for me. I will return to my parent Department (Physics). There is a lot of work to do.

Courtesy: Star of Mysore

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