Shri Venkata Subba Rao-saved Byrasandra lake

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Byrasandra Lake crusader

Venkatasubba Rao, a common man with uncommon strength, is nothing less than a hero to the local residents.

VENKATASUBBA RAO
The residents admire Rao for he fought for restoration of Byrasandra tank (lake) premises worth more than Rs.400 crore (present value) from being sold out to private party by fighting in the court for good two decades.
 His crusade has today culminated into a drive that geared up momentum with other residents, and furthermore, the Government took necessary action to save Byrasandra Lake. For 20 years, he relentlessly fought to save the lake area in and off court with constant help from his senior advocate friend late GS Vishweshwara who backed Subba Rao in each step. From civil to high court to the Supreme Court, he has fought to rejuvenate Byrasandra Lake though he faced many obstacles to restore the lake area. Residents of RBI Colony eventually gave full support to the crusader.
Speaking about the beginning of this crusade, Venkatasubba Rao said: "In 1992, it was a disturbing sight to see trucks after trucks dumping garbage/debris in the lake area. Part of the lake available in 1980s had already dried up, and I wanted to do something to save the available lake area from becoming a dumping yard. With this in mind, after consulting my advocate friend Vishweshwara, we fought single-handed to win the case in court. It was his generosity that he took personal interest and never charged a paise during the whole court battle. We don't want anything from this, but just that the lake/tank has to be restored to its past glory for future generations to cherish and for eco-system balance in the area."
Filing three civil suits, three  PIL in High Court, a Caveat in Supreme Court and paying legal expenses were just one part of the crusade with help from the RBI Colony residents, but what is more is investment of valuable time, energy: He drafted many copies addressed court officials and even to the opposite party. Though the Government has taken up developmental plans, if it were not for the sustained effort of Rao, they did not even know if Byrasandra Lake belonged to BBMP or BDA or the Forest Department. This was a selfless fight and the only benefactor was the Government. Nevertheless, Jayanagar residents are deeply thankful to the duo's selfless service which has today succeeded in bringing in clarity in ownership of the lake as well as in Government listing Byrasandra Lake among the 198 lakes/water bodies to be restored in Bangalore. 
From the age of 52 to 72, Venkatasubba Rao has flagged the crusade for youngsters to take heed in the matter so that the effort does not go futile. He said: "I can't fight single-handed anymore. Youngsters need to take equal interest in the matter; nevertheless, I will always stand by the protection and rejuvenation of Byrasandra Lake."
Byrasandra tank/lake is presently a tank bed in survey number 56, measuring 15 acres and 10 guntas is situated adjacent to NIMHANS quarters and RBI Layout, about one killometre from Jayanagar shopping complex. The twenty years of relentless battle by Venkatasubba Rao and late Vishweshvara saved this property worth 400 crores from being sold to private parties, though about one and a half acres is illegally encroached. The crusade to save the tank premises, has given the Government another lake to be proud of in Bangalore City.

--MANVITHA D MASGODE