QUEEN’S ROAD: A hundred years ago when B K Mariappa left his entire property for the purpose of establishing a hostel for poor and deserving students, he did so without much fanfare, not knowing what impact the little deed of his would create in the years to come.
Over the years, the B K Mariappa's Hostel, situated in Chamrajpet, has taken under its wings future engineers, doctors, administrators, technologists, educationists, businessmen. Some of the alumni the hostel boasts of are K Dinesh, one of the co-founders of Infosys Technologies, M R A Rao, former professor of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science, and T Siddalingaiah, former president of the Mysore Congress.
“When Mariappa was only 35 years old, he fell ill. But he formed a trust and left everything he possessed at the disposal of this trust, which would help poor students complete their education. He was not educated, but he hoped he would be able to help other people get education,” informs N Puttarudra, the managing trustee. Under the guidance of H Ramaiah, the maternal uncle of Vishwaraiah, who served as the managing trustee between 1915 and 1922, the momentous journey began with just four cottages and 15 students.
Now, it houses over 75 students, who hail from different districts like Anekal and Vijayapura, pursuing their education from institutions like BMS College of Engineering and Bangalore Medical College.
Funds may be in short supply but C S Ramamoorthy, who resided at the institution between 1961 and 1965, tells us that everything in the building is donated by old students of the hostel and philanthropists.
He says, “One of the biggest challenge we face is lack of funds. But the old boys have come forward and contributed their mite.” For instance, the Old Boys Association, formed in 1946, ensures that all the old engineering and medical textbooks are preserved for the generations to come.
In 1999, the trust took a decision to construct a hostel exclusively for girls. “We rented out a building in Chamrajpet, near the boys hostel and started operations with nine girl students. Then K Dinesh, a former student, donated over `1 crore for this purpose. Today, the hostel houses over 45 girls,” says C Rajasekhar, trustee and former secretary of the Old Boys Association.
The trust has even set up commercial buildings surrounding the hostel which yields regular revenue.
Underlying their activities is the hope that B K Mariappa cherished in his heart to help those who can least afford it complete their education. Even as they celebrate the institution's centenary, they are working towards opening an old age home on Chikkaballapur Road, with an aim of giving back to society.
Rajasekhar says, "The trust was founded with the objective of helping those in need and we will continue with our activities guided by that vision."