It was a trip down memory lane for Akhilesh Yadav, an alumnus of Sri Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering (SJCE) here, who was in Mysore for the first time after taking over as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.
“I have learnt a lot in Mysore; I have good memories of this beautiful city. Mysore was a small city when I was in college but the city has developed now. I took admission in Mysore as there were no private engineering colleges in Uttar Pradesh,” he said.
Incidentally, it was Mr. Yadav’s first visit to Mysore after his graduation in 1994. Mr. Yadav studied environmental engineering.
Mr. Yadav, who was on a brief visit to Mysore with his wife and Kannauj MP Dimple Yadav and three children, said, “I had not thought that I would become the Chief Minister of my State. I was fully into studies and did not think of politics while studying in Mysore.”
Describing Mysore as one of the best places for education and learning, Mr. Yadav said, “I have been fortunate to have studied in Mysore.”
Recounting some of his memories of Mysore, Mr. Yadav, one of the country’s youngest Chief Ministers, recalled, “I and my friends used to go for tea at a place called Downs (an open air eatery on Manasagangotri campus, close to SJCE).”
Sharing other memories, he said that he stayed in a rented house while studying engineering. Giving credit to his alma mater and his teachers who helped him become an engineer, he said: “They played an important role during my study days. I used to focus only on my studies and nothing else.”
Earlier, Mr. Yadav was accorded a traditional welcome at the Suttur Math. He was led inside the math accompanied by Veeragase folk artistes and schoolchildren.
People who had come to greet Mr. Yadav cheered, “Welcome to Mysore, Akhilesh.” A smiling Mr. Yadav promptly replied, “Dhanyavad”.
Mr. Yadav visited one of his friend’s house at Bannimantap on his way to Mysore from Channapatna.
After attending a function organised in his honour at SJCE, Mr. Yadav is said to have visited other acquaintances here.
