Panduranga Setty honoured
Past Rotary International Director M K Panduranga Setty was conferred the Bharat Ratna Sir M Visvesvaraya Memorial Award 2016 by the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) on its Founder’s Day – the 155th birth anniversary of the ‘Father of the modern Mysore State,’ and the architect of the famous KRS dam across the River Cauvery Sir M Visvesvaraya. The prestigious award was instituted in 1999 and among its recipients include eminent industrialists such as Azim Premji, Nandan Nilekani, Baba Kalyani and eminent cardiac surgeon Dr Devi Shetty.
Panduranga Setty, a past president of FKCCI, is a trailblazer in the industrial and educational fields, having carved a niche for himself in the progress of Karnataka. He was instrumental in building the milling technology from scratch in Mysuru after studying an advanced course in Switzerland. As chairman of RV Group of institutions, “he has left his footprints across the industrial, social and educational domains of the State with a rare touch of simplicity and adorable demeanour,” said FKCCI President M C Dinesh.
Panduranga Setty has left his footprints across the industrial, social and educational domains of the State with a rare touch of simplicity and adorable demeanour.
Setty set up an International School of Milling Technology (ISMT), a first-of-its-kind institution that honed a skilled workforce in the flour milling industry in Mysuru. Back in the 1950s, he pioneered a range of industry exhibitions in the country. With foresight, he organised AHARA 82 — the first international food expo in the country that showcased products and emerging technologies in the food industry. Thanks to his efforts in its formative years, the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore has become a highly rated B-school in the country. Added Dinesh, “Setty is truly an example of one who has imbibed the principles and vision of Visvesvaraya.”
While accepting the honour, Setty recalled the path he had travelled, the friends he had made and the principles he had followed in his successful journey in social entrepreneurship.
