H.K. Patil sees need for setting up irrigation study centre to honour V.V. Deshpande

There is a need to set up an irrigation study centre in the name of irrigation expert Vithalrao Vaikunthrao Deshpande either in the Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), Belagavi, or the Karnatak University, Dharwad, the former Irrigation Minister H.K. Patil said in Dharwad on Sunday.

Mr. Patil called for the establishment of the centre that will take up research and extension activities in North Karnataka.

“It should be named after Deshpande to honour his outstanding contributions to the development of irrigation in the State,” he said.

“A study centre in his name will help preserve his achievements and inspire future generations of engineers,” he said.

He was speaking at the birth centenary celebration of the late V.V. Deshpande, organised in collaboration with various engineers associations at Alur Venkatrao Bhavan there.

Deshpande who belonged to Haliyal in Uttar Kannada had played a significant role in several major irrigation projects, including the Ghataprabha, the Malaprabha, the Bhadra and the Kali. “However, despite his exceptional engineering contributions, we have failed in adequately recognising his services,” he said.

He admitted that even during his tenure as Water Resources Minister, sufficient efforts were not made to honour Deshpande’s legacy.

“I have seen that officials who had worked with him fondly referred to him as Annadata. Beyond his engineering expertise, Deshpande empowered farmers by helping create irrigation infrastructure essential for agricultural prosperity. However, he did not receive the recognition he deserved from the administration and society,” he said.

He thanked the organisers for celebrating Deshpande’s birth centenary.

On behalf of the Deshpande family, the Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to retired engineer M.B. Parappagowda, while Jagadish Nandi received the Award for Excellence in Civil Engineering.

MLA Arvind Bellad, who felicitated the award winners, praised Rajan Deshpande for honouring his father’s legacy through the awards and encouraging professionals in the field of engineering.

Mr. Bellad observed that standards of integrity and excellence in society, administration and politics have declined over the years.

He said that V.V. Deshpande’s professional dedication and commitment should serve as an example for the present generation.

Senior engineers who had worked with Deshpande, including G.C. Tallur, B.T. Rajamane, P.K. Junjarwad, S.S. Bellunke, Satyanarayana, V.S. Chalageri and Vijaya Hiremath, were felicitated.

Hindustani vocalist Sangeetha Katti and Kulkarni Katti presented a musical tribute titled Swara Namana. Arun Sheelavant proposed a vote of thanks.