August 12th, 1919, marks the birth date of the legendary physicist and astronomer, Dr Vikram Sarabhai. He established the Indian National Committee for Space Research in 1962 which is now the esteemed Indian Space Research Organization.
From heading multiple organisations simultaneously and working on many ground-breaking projects including developing a satellite launching vehicle, to honouring his many other professional commitments as a public speaker and teacher, all the while making ample time for his family, Dr Sarabhai was the ultimate master of time management. He was a scientist par excellence but he was a mentor extraordinaire who had scary faith in his team members. It was to such an extent that even his team would be perplexed from time to time. It was perhaps the greatest gift Dr Sarabhai gave to India, because it was this style of mentorship that was carried forward by many top Indian scientists including Dr Kalam, who was one of his dearest students.
His contributions left an indelible mark in the history of Indian space research and nuclear power. He was conferred with the Padma Bhushan in 1966 and Padma Vibhushan in 1972. His sudden departure on December 30, 1971, left a huge void in India’s intelligentsia. However, his generous sharing of knowledge and vision was such that even after he was gone, every member of his organisations knew exactly what they had to do. Thanks to him, today India stands proudly at the forefront in the space race when it comes to efficiency and economy. From launching India’s very first satellite Aryabhata to successfully putting the Mangalyaan into the red planet’s orbit on its very first try, the Indian Space Research Organisation has followed his vision and created history.
Read the entire life story of the father of the Indian space programme in Amar Chitra Katha’s latest release ‘Vikram Sarabhai’, which will soon be available on the ACK Comics app, Kindle, and all major e-tailers.
Indians have been playing cricket since the late 19th century. By 2006, India and the rest of the world were introduced to a brand-new format of cricket known as ‘twenty-twenty’ or T20 for short. It promised the audience more entertainment and power-packed matches that were reduced to 20 gripping overs instead of the more traditional formats of one-day internationals which consisted of 50 overs, or test matches that spanned over a few days. Indian audiences took to it like ducks to water, soon making India the largest consumers of the T20 format in the world! The Indian cricket team’s love for the format back to its very first season victory all the way back to 2007.
India’s first-ever T20
On December 1st, 2006, the Indian team marched into the Wanderers stadium in Johannesburg to take on South Africa in this brand-new form of cricket. With no experience in the format and no specific strategy in place, India took its chances against the opponent. Under the captaincy of Virender Sehwag, the players led the team to a slow-paced yet decisive victory. This day also marks the first and the only international T20 match to be played by the legendary cricketer, Sachin Tendulkar.
The 2007 World Cup
With a new, young captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, taking over the reins of the team in the year 2007, India entered a glorious new era marked by massive victories and the revival of the Indian cricket team’s heydays. ICC launched its first edition of the international T20 world cup that year. The Men in Blue kickstarted the season by playing against newcomers Scotland. However, heavy rains wreaked havoc, bringing the match to an abrupt halt.
In the electrifying weeks that followed, India locked horns with different teams and won several matches. Amongst the most memorable ones was the match against Pakistan in 2007 in which legends such as Virendra Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh and Robin Uthappa swayed the team to a thrilling victory against the rival team!
It all finally boiled down to the play-offs when India was paired against Australia for the semi-finals. By now, the men in blue had gained a more definite hold on the format and had learnt the tricks of the trade. There was a tremendous shift in India’s playing form and its approach towards the game. With incredible bowling by Harbhajan Singh and Sreeshanth, the team secured its position in the grand finale!
The grand showdown!
Known for his calm persona, Captain Cool aka MS Dhoni led his team into the big final against Pakistan. On September 24th, 2007, India came face to face with the Pakistan team in Johannesburg in a stadium full of excited fans, hooked on the edges of their seats, witnessing the ultimate face-off between the two arch-rivals. India won the toss and chose to bat first and managed to gain a respectable score of 157 runs at the end of the 20 overs with a loss of 5 wickets.
Pakistan began on a rather dull note, losing several wickets in the initial few overs. Just when the Indian team thought victory was at hand, the game changed as Pakistani batsman Misbah-ul-Haq led a spirited comeback for his side. Soon, the game could go either way, and even a single wrong move by India could cost them the title.
As spectators held on to their breath, the pressure in the stadium was palpable for both teams. In a move that was totally unexpected by the audience, Dhoni offered the last two overs to the relatively inexperienced Joginder Sharma instead of the seasoned Harbhajan Singh. Joginder’s third delivery got knocked out of the park for a massive sixer and the fear of losing was now looming large over the Indian team. While Pakistan had no wickets left to spare, they only needed six runs off four balls, and with Misbah in fine form, the Men in Green could smell victory. Gleaming with confidence, Misbah played it big on the next ball, but unfortunately, his shot landed straight into Sreesanth’s arms, setting up a jaw-dropping finish! Indian cricket fans all over roared in pride as the team lifted the very first T20 World Cup. The game was even more crucial for the team as they won against their arch-rivals and this was a match that was etched in the walls of the team’s history.
This was only a trailer for what was to follow. T20 became viral across India and the fans thronged the stadiums in thousands. The format began to breach every aspect of an Indian’s lifestyle and due to overwhelming demand, India launched its very own T20 league; the Indian Premier League or the IPL which has revolutionized the way Indian summers are experienced. With massive celebrity endorsements, overflowing stadiums and the collective roar of a nation, this format of cricket has become ingrained into India’s identity!
On the afternoon of November 5th, 2013, scientists and astrophysicists from across the globe gathered around various computer screens. The atmosphere was tingling with nervousness and excitement. Within hours, India was about to launch its first interplanetary vessel, the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) satellite named Mangalyaan, into space. As the mission took off from India’s first launch-pad in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, the world watched on eagerly. In less than a year of its launch, the Mangalyaan mission set an iconic record in Indian history when it officially entered Mars’ orbit on the 24th of September, 2014. With this achievement, India became the only country in the world to successfully put a satellite into Mars’ orbit on its very first try.
Illustration: Arijit Dutta Chowdhury
This mission was initiated by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) headquartered in Bangalore and marked a historic moment for both the organization and the country for several reasons. As the satellite marks its sixth year orbiting the red planet today, let us retrace the journey of this mission.
The Dream Team
Shortly after the news of India’s success reached every corner of the world, there were several inquiries about the team behind India’s successful execution, with people pleased to know that several female scientists were an integral part of this mission! This mission was backed by a massive team of 500 people, with prominent scientists like Ritu Karidhal, Nandini Harinath, Anuradha TK, Moumita Dutta and Minal Rohit, coming to the forefront for the role they played in the success of the Mangalyaan mission.
India’s most efficient mission yet
The Mangalyaan Mission is considered to be one of the most cost-effective space projects in the world. ISRO’s space program gave birth to the world’s most efficient and cost-effective satellite when compared to the satellites launched by the US and other nations. The entire mission cost India just 74 million dollars while the American Mars Mission costs ten times as much! It is even believed that Mangalyaan’s entire budget was smaller than several Bollywood and Hollywood budgets too, making it an incredible feat that the ISRO managed to pull off! The ISRO continues to spearhead this project with rapid progress being made on the sequel mission, Mangalyaan II, expected to fast track the pace of India’s research on the red giant.
Home-grown technology
Mangalyaan’s cheap budget was also a direct result of using home-grown technology. Indian-made components and technology were given higher priority than foreign imports, which was yet another commendable milestone that India achieved through this mission.
Illustration: Arijit Dutta Chowdhury
Findings
As of June 19, 2017, the Mangalyaan completed 1000 Earth days around Mars, during which there have been several findings and probes that have become major turning points for India’s scientific and astronomical research. Apart from initiating research into the possibilities of life existing on the red planet, the satellite has sent back several terabytes of images from Mars. One of the main objectives of the mission was to study the Martian atmosphere which includes methane and CO2 using several sensors, and it is believed that the ISRO has managed to make a significant breakthrough in this study.
Blackouts and communication error
The initial build of Mangalyaan was projected to last for only six months, but it has taken the world by surprise after having completed over 5 full years in Mars’ orbit. The mission has also encountered several trouble points. The MOM went through a communication blackout between June 2, 2015, to July 2, 2015. However, the spacecraft emerged out of this blackout through successful auto control systems.
A historic MOMent for India
India happened to be the first Asian nation and the fourth globally to have sent a spacecraft to Mars and the very first country in the world to do so in its maiden attempt. This has undeniably landed India an important position amongst the global scientific and space research community. This space mission was so stellar that several other space organisations including NASA conducted an in-depth study into how India managed to achieve this feat at such low costs on its first try. It is believed that the images captured by the Mangalyaan were some of the best captures amongst the fifty other space missions by various countries.
Every year, on 17th September, we celebrate the birthday of our founder Anant Pai, our beloved Uncle Pai, on what we call Uncle Pai Day! Here’s a quick snapshot of how he came to start Amar Chitra Katha and Tinkle over half a century ago.
Anant Pai was born on September 17th, 1929, in a small village in Karnataka called Karkala. Throughout his life, Mr Pai was a diligent student. He would score brilliant marks everywhere. Despite not knowing how to speak in English, Anant and his sister, Savita got admission in Orient High School in Mumbai’s Mahim area. After he finished his schooling, he got admission in Wilson College, Mumbai. Later, he went on to study Chemical Engineering at the University Department of Chemical Technology.
The origins of Amar Chitra Katha
Eventually, Anant Pai started working at Times of India where he was asked to do a market survey for reprints of American comics. That’s when he suggested to his boss if the newspaper can print comics based on Indian mythology or history. However, his request was denied. But the idea never left his mind.
Illustration: Dilip Kadam
One day, when Anant Pai and his wife were visiting Delhi, they came across a TV shop that was broadcasting a quiz show. He was an avid reader and tried to learn from wherever he could. As he watched the programme, he noticed that the participants knew more about Greek mythology than they knew about Indian mythology. From that day onwards, Anant Pai decided to resign from his job and create comic books on Indian historical and mythological figures.
He spent days thinking of a name that best represented the company’s essence and something that would connect with Indians in every corner of the country. That’s when he came up with the name Amar Chitra Katha. Amar means eternal and Chitra Katha means comic books. It was a simple yet effective name that is now synonymous with Indian comics. In February 1970, the first-ever Amar Chitra Katha title, Krishna, was printed and ready for sale. The rest is history.
The Partha Movement
One day, Anant Pai was called by the principal of a school. There, he noticed a child being rejected admission due to the unavailability of seats. The thought of a child going through such a disheartening rejection made Mr Pai come up with a movement for children to boost their self-confidence. It was called the Partha movement. Mr Pai formed Partha Clubs of Personality in different parts of the country. There, they taught children how to believe in themselves, and set realistic goals and work towards them. He even went on to write several books on the very same topic.
There’s another popular club associated with Amar Chitra Katha. It’s called the Anu Club, which takes you on a journey into the wonderful world of science. Anu Club was originally a comic series that used to appear in the pages of Tinkle. Then, in 2019, it was relaunched in a new video avatar on Tinkle’s YouTube channel. Watch all episodes of Anu Club by clicking here!
Tinkle, Tinkle, Little Star
Amar Chitra Katha’s popularity was soaring through the roof, and kids couldn’t get enough of it. It came to a point where kids were demanding a weekly magazine. Uncle Pai and his team had to find a solution, and that solution was a children’s magazine which would have fun stories, games and much more!
One day, Anant Pai and Subba Rao were discussing potential names for this children’s magazine when Subba Rao got a call from his marketing manager. Subba Rao said to him, “I’ll give you a tinkle later in the day.” And that was it! Anant Pai had found the perfect name for his children’s magazine! On November 14th, 1980, Tinkle comics was launched!
In time, fan favourite characters such as Suppandi, Shikari Shambu and Tantri The Mantri were conceived. Tinkle has come a long way since then. From producing monthly magazines, Tinkle now has a digital edition out every week and remains very popular among children even today. This year, Tinkle magazine will be completing 40 years!
Read more about Uncle Pai’s life in our Amar Chitra Katha title on him, now available on the ACK Comics app as well as all major e-tailers.
Anant Pai was a master storyteller who left behind the wonderful legacy of Amar Chitra Katha and Tinkle. Here are some of his wise words which will definitely make you think.
Known as ‘The Father of Engineering’, Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya left behind a legacy that fast-tracked India’s technological and infrastructural transition, paving the path for a modernised India through sheer perseverance and determination. It is in the celebration of his legacy that India observes September 15th as National Engineer’s Day.
Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, fondly called Sir MV, was born to a poor Brahmin household on September 15th, 1860, in Muddenahalli near modern-day Mysore. It was believed that his father died when Sir MV was barely 15 years old. From then on, his journey in completing his school and college education was one that was filled with endless obstacles and hardships. He acquired a B.A degree from Central College in Bangalore. He went on to earn a scholarship for a civil engineering course from the College of Science in Pune which he completed as the valedictorian. Sir Visvesvaraya’s dedication towards his education was so strong that he would often study under the light of streetlamps late at night to catch up with his portions. During his time in college, he made a small sum of money by tutoring children after classes while still managing to top his university! He led a constant balancing act between earning for his family and trying to pursue his dreams in the field of engineering.
Soon, he was hired by the Public Works Department for the Government of Bombay where he began to develop a keen interest in water irrigation systems, drainage and water supply. Early in his tenure, he even built a structure he dubbed the ‘syphon’; it could redirect water from the Panjra river into the nearby drought-stricken village of Datari. He was deeply passionate about the water conservation system, and his ideas and thoughts were far ahead of the times that they lived in. They helped bring modern irrigation and conservation systems to developing India.
It is believed that, while Sir MV was working on his syphon project in Datari, there was a night of heavy rainfall that caused the river to breach its banks and overflow. Sir. Visvesvaraya took shelter with some locals in the vicinity for a couple of days, but on the third day, he yearned to get back to work. The man apparently swam back across the river with the help of the local workers! It’s safe to say that he was willing to go to any extent for the passion he had for his work!
Armed with immense experience and ideas aplenty, he was appointed as the Diwan of Mysore in 1909 under the post of a Chief Engineer. His instincts told him to take on larger infrastructure and education projects to ramp up development in Mysore, which the Government gladly agreed to. What followed was a massive transformation that revolutionized the state of Mysore forever.
His most significant project during this tenure was the construction of the famous Krishna Raja Sagara Dam, which is still regarded as an engineering marvel and attracts hordes of tourists every day. Not only was its design par excellence, but it also served many purposes for the people of Mysore and the neighbouring regions. It supplied power to the Kolar Gold Mines, it led through vast expanses of farmlands, providing ample irrigation to regions that did not receive enough rainfall, and it also put Mysore on the map as the location for the largest dam to be built in India at the time!
Sir M. Visvesvaraya’s vision was one that went above and beyond. He desired to leave behind a legacy that the rest of the country and the future generations could constantly resonate with. He constantly visited large scale factories and industries to review their work and share his thoughts and ideas with them. He realized the worth of good education and demanded that it be free to all, irrespective of their social or economic strata. This is why he made immense contributions in the field of academia. During his tenure as the Diwan of Mysore between the years 1912-1918, he almost tripled the number of schools and colleges, from 4568 educational institutions to 11,294! He built technical and engineering colleges across the state and introduced compulsory education for all, which became a fundamental right in the Indian constitution. He also set up the first Government Engineering College in Bengaluru, now known as the University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering.
Illustration: Samhita Sonti
Sir MV had the creative vigour of a child throughout his life and did not shy away from questioning things and coming up with new ways to do things. It was believed that even at the age of 92, he walked to most places and did not take any assistance to do his own work. He was a man with a large heart and made generous donations to the people who worked under him; this was why he was left with only INR 36,000 in his final days. He was awarded the prestigious Bharat Ratna in the year 1955 for lifelong contributions to the field of science and engineering.
In 1962, at the grand old age of 102, he passed away peacefully at his home. His birthday was declared as National Engineers Day from 1968 onwards, and it continues to be celebrated not only in India but also in Sri Lanka and Tanzania! His innovations continue to ignite the minds of aspiring engineers everywhere, and has made engineering a desirable field of study for many Indians to this very day. His was truly a lifetime of sharing, nurturing and demonstrating that one should always push the boundaries of the ordinary!
Here is a quote by the people’s president, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, that stresses the transformative changes that the country’s youth can bring about if they put their mind to it.
“I am like a cat, throw me wherever you want to, I will still stand on my feet. Eight hours for dairy, eight hours for family and eight hours for sleep”- Dr Verghese Kurien
Do you know who brings milk all the way to your home every morning? Of course, it is the milkman! But do you know who was popularly known as the “The Milkman of India”? This legendary personality was Dr Verghese Kurien, the brains behind the birth of India’s biggest milk manufacturer, Amul! For his mammoth efforts in the field of dairy, Dr Kurien is also known as the Father of White Revolution in India.
Illustration: Zoheb Akbar
Dr Verghese Kurien was born to a Christian family in Calicut (present day Kozhikode), Kerala in 1921. Dr Kurien went on to earn a degree in B.Sc Physics from Loyola College in Madras, and then went to the US on a government scholarship to pursue mechanical engineering.
On returning to India, he was assigned to spend five years as an officer in the government’s Dairy division as payback for his scholarship. That’s when he saw the ruthless exploitation of dairy farmers in the villages. Till the mid-20th century, they were always exploited by milk distributors, with entire regions under the tight control of shrewd businessmen. Looking at the struggle of these farmers, Dr Kurien, along with Tribhuvandas Patel, took up the mission to unite them and better their cause. Dr Kurien decided to quit his job and started the Milk Cooperative movement, which was later rechristened as Amul.
Under Dr Kurien’s stewardship, ‘Operation Flood’ was launched in 1970, kickstarting India’s White Revolution. It was based on an experimental pattern set by Dr Kurien himself. This program created a national milk grid, linking producers throughout India, reducing seasonal price fluctuations, and ensuring milk producers get a major share of the income generated from end consumers. This program also made sure farmers get fair market prices on a regular basis. All this was achieved by the cooperative structure.
The backbone of ‘Operation Flood’ has always been the milk producers at the village level. It is indeed our farmers who have played a major role in uplifting India’s dairy output. Today, around 12 million farmers, in more than 22 states across the country, own 250 dairy plants, handling 20 million litres of milk a day.
The White Revolution was not an overnight operation, nor did it set in motion in a week’s, month’s or even a year’s time. Rather, it took several phases to make Dr Verghese Kurien’s dream come true.
Illustration: Zoheb Akbar
Phase 1: Started in 1970 with the objective of setting up dairy cooperatives in 18 milk sheds in India’s four major metropolitan cities. By the end of 1981, there were 13,000 village dairy cooperatives covering 15,000 farmers.
Phase 2: From 1981 to 1985, there was an increase in the number of milk sheds from 18 to 136; with 290 urban markets opening up and increasing the number of milk outlets. By the end of 1985, there were 43,000 village cooperatives covering 4.25 million milk producers. EEC and World Bank loans helped India achieve a sense of self- reliance as well.
Phase 3: From 1985 to 1996, cooperatives further expanded and the infrastructure was further strengthened to increase production. There was an addition of 30,000 new diary cooperatives. Member education was strengthened and there was an increase in the number of women members. This phase also gave additional importance to research and development in animal health and nutrition.
Overall, ‘Operation Flood’ wasn’t just a dairy program; it meant development, self-sufficiency, employment generation and regular incomes for millions of rural people. This was all due to one man’s passion and determination, for the greater good of the country. Under his inspiring leadership many institutions were established, such as GCMMF (Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd) and NDDB (National Dairy Development Board).
Illustration: Zoheb Akbar
Dr Kurien received many awards for his work such as the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership (1963), Padma Bhushan (1966), Krishi Ratna Award (1986), World Food prize (1989), Padma Vibhushan (1999), Economic Times award for Corporate Excellence (2001) and several others!
Dr Verghese Kurien never considered himself a great leader, seeing himself as a mere employee of the farmers. He always believed that learning should never stop, his endearing personality and the conviction to turn the impossible to possible will always be an inspiration to us. Here’s saluting India’s most iconic milkman!
Read the full story of Dr Verghese Kurien in the Amar Chitra Katha title ‘Verghese Kurien’ on the ACK Comics app. Also available on Amazon, Flipkart, and other major e-tailers.
Over the years, Teachers’ Day has become a symbol of appreciation and acknowledgement of educators across the country for the countless hours they put into guiding and moulding India’s younger generations. This is why, on the eve of every Teachers’ Day, the National Teachers Awards are given to the country’s best teachers by the President of India. But did you know that Teachers’ Day also marks the birthday of former Indian president Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a philosopher, academician and educator par excellence?
Dr Radhakrishnan’s immense contribution to post-independent Indian society has been lauded by leaders across the globe. Dr Radhakrishnan was no ordinary guru. His clarity and creative methods of imparting knowledge brought him into the spotlight as a teacher extraordinaire. He was a popular philosopher, a scholar and an influential diplomat. Such was his vision and wisdom that he is considered to be one of the greatest thinkers of the 20th century.
Born on September 5th, 1888, to a poor Brahmin family in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruttani village, Dr Radhakrishnan’s parents decided to dedicate their meagre income to educate him. His dedication and passion towards learning were undeterred since childhood, but after he completed his secondary education, he was requested by his parents to discontinue his studies and assist them by working as a priest at the local temple. It was after a very long and arduous struggle that Dr Radhakrishnan was able to avail the luxury of higher education. A devoted student of philosophy, he began focusing on Hindu schools of thought, which he soon gained immense prowess over. He then expanded his area of interest to include Buddhist teachings and theories, and was soon studying the works of ancient and modern Western thinkers, from Plato to Karl Marx.
Illustration: Samhita Sonti
He was appointed as the key lecturer of philosophy in the University of Mysore in 1918 where his teachings became wildly popular for how precise and thought-provoking they were. It was during his tenure here that he wrote his best work, ‘The Philosophies of Rabindranath Tagore’. He was invited to Oxford University in London in 1926, where he delivered his famous lecture on Hindu philosophy. His contribution towards the Indian freedom struggle was very unique, becoming a beacon of hope and an academic icon that the rest of the nation resonated with. Dr Radhakrishnan preferred the power of words to fight his battles, and used his lectures as a platform to highlight India’s cause for freedom.
He was appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of Andhra University in 1931, serving for five years. Here, his exemplary work played a huge role in restructuring the crumbling systems of the institutions. The changes he had brought about were so powerful that, by the end of his term, it became one of the most robust and well-known alma maters in the country.
After India attained independence in 1947, Dr Radhakrishnan was assigned to chair the University Commission in 1948. His committee played a pivotal role in shaping an education system based on India’s needs at the time. In 1949, he became the ambassador to the USSR in the middle of the Cold War. Through his peaceful diplomatic brokering, he successfully established a cordial relationship between India and the Soviet Union. Between 1952 and 1962, he served as the first vice president of the country, and in 1962, he was elevated to the highest office in the country, that of the President of India.
He was a man of many accolades. Dr Radhakrishnan was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1954. In addition to this, he was nominated a total of 16 times for the Nobel Prize in Literature and 11 times for the Nobel Peace Prize!
Dr Radhakrishnan was also immensely loved by his students. When Dr Radhakrishnan was enroute to the railway station from Mysore University, his endearing students had arranged for a grand flower-decked carriage that they pulled up till his destination! Now that’s a teacher-student bond like no other!
After he became the President in 1962, Dr Radhakrishnan’s students requested to observe his birthday as “Radhakrishnan Day”, to which he responded by saying that he would like to collectively share this day with every teacher in the country for their commendable work and sacrifices. He regarded it to be a ‘privilege’ to celebrate this day as Teachers’ Day and this is how the first Teachers’ Day came to be celebrated.
Read one of Amar Chitra Katha’s latest miniseries ‘Inspiring Teachers’ which has stories extracted from our iconic titles, compiled for readers who enjoy short reads. Now available exclusively on the ACK Comics app and Kindle.
When 32-year-old Chamarajendra Wadiyar X, king of Mysore, fell ill and died, his son was still a minor. It was also the year when a severe epidemic of bubonic plague struck the city. This was when his wife, Maharani Kempa Nanjammani Vani Vilasa Sannidhana, took over as queen regent and ruled Mysore for eight memorable years.
During her rule, Bangalore and Mysore saw great progress. Asia’s first hydroelectric project was commissioned at Shivanasamundram. Drinking water to Bengaluru was provided from the Hesaraghatta Reservoir. Many schools for girls were started with more than 12000 girls getting access to education. The Rani laid great stress on pre- and post-natal care for women and opened several hospitals and dispensaries. She also donated 372 acres of land to start the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru.
Rani Vani Vilasa will always be/ remembered as a dynamic ruler who contributed greatly to the welfare of the people of Karnataka.
