''Avalon Residence'', Bengaluru of Mysore royal family donated to the nation for TB research

Avalon House bangalore lbb.in

The then last official ruler of the Princely state of Mysore Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar constructed and also donated many buildings for the public cause and his munificence was testimony to his keen interest in the welfare of the state - be it education, railways, agriculture and public health. we have already gone past  India’s 75th year of independence, and the important contributions made by the Royal family of the Wadiyar are still remembered by the people even today with gratitude. The Wadiyar dynasty is a late-medieval/early-modern South Indian Hindu royal family of former kings of Mysore from the Urs clan originally based in Mysore. Their legacy in Mysuru is deep rooted.  Mention may be made of the Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL), Indian Institute of Science and many others. Little do we know about late Jayachamaraja Wadiyar's contribution to the eradication of TB - Tuberculosis, the most dreaded disease across India. 

NTIB inauguration by Nehruntiindia.kar.nic.in


Ex ruler Chamaraja wadiyar, et, al.facebook.com

 Above image:  Maharaja Sri Jaya Chamaraja Wadiyar with Sir.M.Visveswaraiah, Sri Kengal Hanumanthaiah and Sri Kadidal Manjappa....................................

Based on the findings of a 1955–1958 survey conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and identification of places where  high incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis was found across the country, The National Tuberculosis Institute  was formed.  The Government of India took serious steps to start an advanced research institute solely dedicated to the cause andand take preventive measures. Withe goal in mind, NTIB was founded in 1959,

 One of the prominent landmarks in Bengaluru is the National Tuberculosis Institute  (NTIB) on Bellary Road functioning in the heritage building called Avalon which was  originally the residence of Wadiyar's sister. The building  was given away to the nation for a much deserving cause  to serve as a premiere research institute in TB under the Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, govt. of India. This advanced TB research institute in Avalon was inaugurated by the first PM of India Jawahar Lal Nehru on 16th Sept. 1960 in the presence of the Mysore ruler. The Institute is located in the northern part of the Bangalore near Raajmahal Gutturally on a sprawling lush green land of 23 acres of land.  The main central old building that was built in  oriental architecture - "Avalon" was once a palace belonging the erstwhile Maharaja of Mysore. Over periods of time additional blocks have been constructed to meet the growing needs of the institute. The additional  blocks were built for different  purposes.

The Institute has, ever since, been  engaged in various research activities  related to  successful  formulation of  TB Control Programs for the country incorporating  the clinical, epidemiological and sociological aspects of the disease. It  activities include  training of medical and paramedical staff and personnel across the country, formulating policies and programs in accordance with the WHO recommended DOTS strategies. It is mentioned that the  Institute got the accreditation  as a WHO Collaborating Centre for TB research and training in 1985.[?]

Tit-Bits: 

Dr. Robert Koch 

Robert Koch. in.pinterest.com

Dr. Robert Koch discovered the tuberculosis bacillus.  Heinrich Hermann  Robert Koch 11 December 1843 – 27 May 1910)  was a German physician and microbiologist. As hr discovered  the specific causative agents of deadly infectious diseases including tuberculosis, cholera and anthrax, he is regarded as one of the main founders of modern bacteriology. His  discovery of the anthrax bacterium (Bacillus anthracis) in 1876  was a major scientific even and is considered as the birth of modern bacteriology.  His discoveries  established  that germs "could cause a specific disease"and directly provided proofs for that germ theory of diseases, therefore creating the scientific basis of public health, saving millions of lives. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Koch