Bengaluru: The 126-year-old Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru, one of Karnataka’s largest public health facilities, will be renamed after veteran socialist leader Shanthaveri Gopalagowda.The move aims to honour Gopalagowda, a prominent farmers’ rights advocate, who was born in Shivamogga district in 1923. Coming from an agricultural background, he was deeply influenced by Mahatma Gandhi and joined the freedom struggle.Following his association with other socialist leaders such as Ram Manohar Lohia, Gopalagowda was drawn to politics. He was elected to the legislative assembly three times — in 1952, 1962, and 1967 — from constituencies in Shivamogga district and is regarded as a pioneer of socialist politics in Karnataka.Gopalagowda spent his last six months at Victoria Hospital where he died. The foundation stone for the hospital was laid on June 22, 1897, by Maharani Kempananjammanni Devi (Vani Vilasa Sannidhana), regent of the Mysore kingdom, to commemorate the 60 years of the reign of Queen Victoria. The building was inaugurated in 1900 by the then Viceroy of India, Lord Curzon. Built in a colonial-era architectural style, the hospital later evolved into a major govt medical facility.Now attached to Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI), it has been frequented by patients from across the state. The govt also announced Rs 10 crore in the budget to construct a boys’ hostel for MBBS and BDS students of BMCRI.
