History – Page 2 – Karnataka First

Pictorial remembrance of partition horrors at Sharnbasva University

SBU students explained about the horrors through pictures in the newspapers

The horrors of the partition of India and Pakistan were presented in a pictorial format at the Sharnbasva University. Godutai Women’s Engineering College students explained about the horrors through pictures in the newspapers.

Presidential Sena Medal awardee Subedar Shantayya Swamy went around the exhibition with Subedar Major Phool Chand Sharma of the 32 Karnataka Batallian, NCC, Kalaburagi.

Later, addressing the students, Mr. Swamy recalled his exploits as the leader of the commando group which ambushed a team of Pakistan soldiers during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war and asked the students to come forward to join the Armed Forces for a bright future and also get a chance to serve the nation.

He said even during his school days, he was enamoured by the exploits of the Armed Forces and had joined the NCC when he was in school and with those NCC certificates he joined the Madras Regiment in 1961.

“With just 50 paise in my pocket, I travelled to Secunderabad in Andhra Pradesh to join the Armed Forces. After his six months training at Madras Regiment in Wellington at Ootacamund (Udhagamandalam), I was posted at the Indo-China Border. After my participation in the Indo-China War in 1961, I was transferred to several other forward areas and participated in the 1965 Indo-Pakistan and Indo-Pakistan 1971 war in which Bangladesh was created,” Mr. Swamy said.

Freedom fighters gallery launched in Bidar

Bidar-based Shaheen Group of Institutions has launched a multi-media programme to spread awareness among the general public about freedom fighters and their contribution to India’s Independence movement.

A school and colleges run by the group have shared database of the lives of 100 freedom fighters that includes photos, videos, audios and documents. The sharing has been done online using social media and websites and offline by attaching Quick Response codes (QR codes) to images of freedom fighters that are pasted in prominent places across the State.

They were showcased in an offline exhibition on the college campus in Bidar between August 8 and August 10. It is on continuous online display on the Shaheen College website, https://shaheengroup.org/.

“We hope to reach at least one crore people with this project,’’ Abdul Quadeer, school society chairman, said at the inauguration. “Our freedom fighters are already well known. We hope that the exhibition and the online data base will kindle the spirit of the Independence movement among the youth and students,’’ Dr. Quadeer said. This programme is part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav event.

Each one of the 100 photographs has a QR code at the bottom. Scanning it will lead to the database of text, audio and video clips in Kannada, English and Urdu.

The exhibition has images of Mahatma Gandhi, Subhas Chandra Bose, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Bhagat Singh, Sukhdeo, Chandrashekar Azad, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Nana Saheb, Lala Lajpatrai, Rani Lakshmibai, Tipu Sultan, Hyder Ali, Mirza Khasim Ali Khan, Siraj-ud- Daula, Haji Shariatullah, Begum Hazrat Mahal and others.

After the exhibition, the images will be kept in public places around the State.

Shaheen Group is also promoting flag hoisting as part of the Har Ghar Tiranga programme. At least 1,000 students have hoisted the tricolour in their homes. “We have distributed to the public, 50,000 pocket sized flags and 10,000 hand-held flags,” he said.

Deputy Commissioner Govind Reddy and Superintendent of Police Dekka Kishor Babu inaugurated the exhibition.

Udupi: MAHE to launch online course ‘Discerning India- Living Cultures of Tulunadu’ on Aug 18

The official launch of the course ‘Discerning India: Living Cultures of Tulunadu will take place on Thursday, August 18 in front of EDU building Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal at 4.30 pm. This will be flagged off by Dr Ranjan Pai, chairman of Manipal Education and Medical Group (MEMG), pro chancellor of Manipal Academy of Higher Educaiton (MAHE), Dr H S Ballal, vice chancellor, Lt Gen Dr M D Venkatesh and the registrar Dr Narayana Sabhahit.

The course is an extension of efforts made by MAHE to highlight the knowledge systems of local community to the larger world. It is designed and offered by the Centre for Intercultural Studies and Dialogue (CISD), MAHE. The event will be marked by a special performance of ‘Tiger Dance (Pili Vesha) by Ashok Kadubettu and Team, a well-known Tiger Dance Performers of Udupi.

Details about the course

Discerning India: Living Cultures of Tulunadu is a self-paced online course that introduces the participants to the essence of the region. The course comprises the following units: Theatre and Performance: Yakshagana; Community and Sports: Kambala; Worship Traditions: Bhutaradhane; Nagaradhane.

The broader idea of this course is to nurture critical thinking and facilitate dialogue on different aspects of cultures. There are culture specific reasons and meanings for practices and activities that are an integral part of people’s lives. The course opens a space for analysis and reflections on these values. This course is designed for all those who are interested in exploring new cultures and understanding diversity of living. This is a two- credit online certificate course delivered in English and powered by the Directorate of Online Education, MAHE. It includes video documentaries, series of video lectures, readings and quizzes.

Puttur: Historical well with Gandhiji connection exists here

Even as the country celebrates ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ this year it is time to remember, recall and respect all the political sufferers and freedom fighters who have fought for India’s independence.

Mahatma Gandhi who played a key role in India’s freedom struggle is remembered for his visit to Dakshina Kannada district. He was on a visit to Puttur as part of the campaign to eradicate untouchability against the dalits.

He was instrumental in galvanising the freedom struggle and in ensuring equality in society especially with regard to the dalits.

In 1934, Mahatma Gandhi had paid a visit to Puttur on his way from Sullia by foot. He was received then by M S Kille, Mallya, Molahalli Shivarayaru and Shivarama Karanth among other luminaries. Gandhi had participated in a small meeting below a large peepal tree at the present Puttur government bus station.

Gandhi had given a call to eradicate untouchability. He paid a visit to two dalit colonies in Puttur and in particular his visit to Ragikumeru colony is still remembered. There was no supply of drinking water to the families of Ragikumeru. It is said that people of the colony were consuming drainage water that was flowing adjacent to their colony. Noticing this, Gandhi directed his confidants to immediately construct a well which exists even to this day next to the Ragikumeru road.

The youths have come to know of Gandhi’s visit to the colony today. Gandhi’s visit was and has been fondly remembered by the people of the colony as he had directed his confidants to construct a well at a time when the region was facing a shortage of food.

This well falls under the ambit of the city municipal council. However, the water in the well is not being widely used these days as adequate drinking water is being supplied through pipelines to the inhabitants of Puttur. But, the existence of this well brings back memories of Gandhi among the people of Puttur and Gandhi’s largesse in getting a well constructed.

The lives of the residents of Ragikumeru have considerably improved but residents feel a lot more needs to be done.

Bidar school launches online database of freedom fighters

Bidar-based Shaheen Group of Institutions has launched a multi media programme to spread awareness about freedom fighters and their contribution to India’s Independence movement. QR codes used to share text, audio and videos

Bidar-based Shaheen Group of Institutions has launched a multi media programme to spread awareness about freedom fighters and their contribution to India’s Independence movement.

The school and colleges in the group will share a database on the lives of 100 freedom fighters that includes photos, videos, audios and documents. The sharing will be done online using social media and websites, and offline by attaching Quick Response codes (QR codes) to the images of freedom fighters that are pasted in prominent places across Karnataka.

“We hope to reach at least one crore people with this programme,” Abdul Quadeer, school society chairman, told journalists on August 8 during an exhibition of photographs and images in the park adjoining Shaheen PUC College in Shahapur in Bidar.

Bidar Deputy Commissioner Govind Reddy and Superintendent of Police Dekka Kishor Babu inaugurated the exhibition.

The exhibition will be open till August 10. Each of the 100 photographs has a QR code at the bottom. Scanning the QR code will lead to the data base of text, audio and video clips related to the image in Kannada, English and Urdu languages.

The exhibition has images of Mahatma Gandhi, Subhas Chandra Bose, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Bhagat Singh, Sukh Dev, Chandrashekar Azad, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Nana Saheb, Lala Lajpat Rai, Rani Lakshmibai, Tipu Sultan, Hyder Ali, Mirza Khasim Ali Khan, Siraj Ud Daula, Haji Shariatullah, Begum Hazrat Mahal and others.

After the exhibition, the images will be kept in public places around Karnataka.

“Our freedom fighters are already well known. We hope that the exhibition and the online data base will kindle the spirit of the independence movement among the youth and students,” said Dr. Quadeer said.

This exhibition is part of the Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav, which is a celebration 75 years of independence.

The group will promote hoisting of the national flag as part of the Har Ghar Tiranga programme. The group will motivate at least 1,000 students to fly the tricolour in their homes. It aims to distribute 50,000 pocket-size flags and 10,000 hand-held flags among the people.

The activities include essay writing and elocution competitions with a focus on the independence movement.

Governor, minister felicitate freedom fighter H V Nagabhushan Rao at home

As part of the commemoration of Quit India movement, State Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot and Higher Education Minister Dr C N Narayan visited the residence of freedom fighter H V Nagabhushan Rao at his residence in Malleswarm in Bengaluru on Tuesday.

A very happy, Nagabhushan Rao recalled the part played by him in the freedom struggle and undergoing jail term twice.

Speaking to media persons after felicitating the freedom fighter in his assembly constituency, Dr Narayan said patriotism and love for the country must be part of all Indians. The BJP governments at the Centre and in the State want to rekindle the spirit of nationalism in all citizens, he said pointing out that the Narendra Modi has relaxed most of the restrictions on hoisting national tricolour by the citizens.

Dr Narayan took the occasion to criticize Congress Opposition leader in the Assembly Siddaramaiah for finding fault with the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign and termed it as a political drama. “If one cannot perform good deeds, let them remain silent instead finding faults,’’ he said.

NGO to bring ‘Nammoora Kathe’ back for students

A non-government organisation (NGO) working on heritage conservation and awareness is set to revive its programme ‘Nammoora Kathe’, for students of city-based government schools and schools with low-fee structures, to provide up-close exposure to the history and heritage of Bengaluru.

With this programme, the NGO, Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) plans to educate city kids on the history of Bengaluru, its origin, geographical influence and growth as a city.

It also plans to provide a comprehensive understanding of other dimensions of the city, including planning, natural and cultural heritage, and local traditions.

It is planned to introduce all these aspects which are not prescribed in textbooks, and with this, the NGO’s idea is to complement the social science syllabus in an enticing, fun, and engaging way for students, with field trips to heritage sites and through games, including jigsaw puzzles.

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Kittel’s kin invited for Haveri Sahitya Sammelana

Three-day sammelana starts on November 11

The 86th Akhila Bharata Kannada Sahitya Sammelana (All-India Kannada literary meet) is scheduled to be held at Haveri from November 11 to 13 and will be chaired by poet Doddarange Gowda.

A descendent of Ferdinand Kittel (1832-1903), the much-respected lexicographer of Kannada, who lives in Germany, and Chandra Arya, Canadian MP, from Karnataka, who spoke in Kannada in Parliament, have been invited to participate in the conference.

The organisers are trying to make this a “dust-free and plastic-free” event.

Two-year break

Due to COVID-19 pandemic, the 86th sammelana was not held for the last two years, though the place and the person to chair it had been announced by the Kannada Sahitya Parishath (KSP).

KSP president Mahesh Joshi told The Hindu that the event will be inaugurated on November 11, which also happens to be Kanakadasa Jayanti. November 12 is second Saturday and November 13 is Sunday, which will make it convenient for people to participate, he said.

“Extensive discussions will be held in the conference on many issues, including the issue of closure of Kannada schools,’’ he explained. Speaking on the draft of the Kannada Language Comprehensive Development Bill, 2022, he emphasised the need to speed up its implementation.

86 books

“We are publishing 86 Kannada books through KSP and 37 books are related to Haveri district’s art, literature, and culture. In addition of this, we will honour and felicitate 86 people who have worked for the development of Kannada and Karnataka,’’ he said.

“We have already formed overseas units and we will try to involve them in this conference,” Mr. Joshi revealed.

A martyrdom saga that lives on ballads, continues to inspire Kannadigas

Sangolli Rayanna’s martyrdom stories continue to inspire crores of Kannadigas with every child given examples of his bravery against the British. The giant banyan tree from where Sangolli and his revolutionary associates were hanged serves as a memorial to the martyrs and kindles the spirit of patriotism among the youth.

The tree also forms an integral part of school excursions to inculcate a sense of patriotism in the little hearts. Not just a railway station in Bengaluru, every city in the state has a junction or memorial named after him.

Born on August 15, 1796, in Sangolli village of Belagavi district, Rayanna hailed from the Kuruba (shepherd) community and inherited the valour and loyalty from ancestors to the Kittur kingdom.

Folk tales describe him as a 7-foot-tall warrior who brought shivers to the hearts of his enemies, particularly the East India Company. He rose to become the commander-in-chief of the army of Kittur led by an equally heroic Rani Chennamma.

Sangolli was upset over the British policy of expansion and their treacherous ways of capturing powers from Indians. After the defeat of the Kittur Army by the British forces, he raised a guerilla force to fight the British and successfully defeated them on several occasions.

His guerrilla Army moved from place to place, setting the government offices afire. Led by Sangolli Rayanna, his force attacked the British army, plundered and looted treasuries and helped the locals.

Sangolli had become a nightmare for the British and his heroics against the British were celebrated by the local people making him a legendary figure.

The British did defeat him in an open battle, but they were never able to face his guerrilla warfare and incurred humiliating defeats. Desperate to put an end to Sangolli Rayanna, the British caught hold of his uncle Lakshmana and hatched a plan to nab the rebel.

Later, they caught Sangolli while he was taking a bath. The folk songs describe that even then Sangolli kept asking his uncle to pass on the sword, he left him on the banks of the river and handed it to the British soldiers.

Pant Maharaj’s portrait finds a place in airport gallery

A portrait of Pant Maharaj, a 19 ^th century saint from Balekundri village, now adorns the art gallery at the Sambra Airport in Belagavi.

This is a tribute to the proponent of Avadhut Navanath philosophy who spoke of the need for love for all humans, in his books Datta Prema Lahari and Prema Tarang.

Apart from a brief biographical detail about the seer, the 64 sq ft image contains a road map and directions to Balekundri, that is just four kilometres away from the airport.

A contemporary of Swami Vivekananda, Pant Maharaj was a proponent of spiritualism devoid of strict rituals. People from various castes visit his Samadhi and temple at Balekundri. Thousands from across Karnataka and Maharashtra gather at the annual festival in December.

Pant Maharaj was born in 1855 and passed away in 1905. He worked as a teacher in Belagavi for some years, before becoming a monk. He considered Sri Balmukund and Sri Kallappa Maharaj as his Gurus.

Pant Maharaj chronicled his experiences of meditation in his books and essays. He met Swami Vivekananda when the latter visited Belagavi in 1892.

th/Belagavi