Its a long wait for these freedom fighters

SIRSI: After sixty four years of independence, the dream to have a mansion in memory of more than one thousand freedom fighters from the taluk may come true at the taluk headquarters at Siddapur in Uttar Kannada district. The district in-charge minister Visheshwar Hegde Kageri has taken the initiation after discussing the issue with veteran freedom fighters in the taluk, recently.The role played by the freedom fighters from Siddapur taluk on par with Ankola taluk (belonged to Karwar district of then Bombay province), was crucial. More than thousand freedom fighters including women took part voluntarily in the movement on the call given by Mahatma Gandhi. During the movement, which resulted in the loss of their lands and houses.From every nook and corner of the taluk, people participated in large numbers in the 1942’s Quit India Movement. The Chandraghatagi had  become the brave land on the outskirts of the town where freedom  fighters used to assemble and work out strategies, now speaks of many  related stories.The difficulties faced, sacrifices made and pains experienced by those freedom fighters must be conveyed to youngsters, said freedom fighter  Dyava Gowda Marahalagi, who is nearing hundred years of age.For this  purpose, an initiation taken to build the memorial hall is commendable, though it is too late, he added.Narasimha Hegde Magegar, another veteran freedom fighter, recalled that in 1952 only, the land for the construction of the freedom fighters Memorial Bhavan was sanctioned and an action plan was also prepared. But because of vested interests, on the same land presently existing Samaj Mandir came up and a mansion became a distant dream, he rued.However, Hegde felt that it would have had more sanctity and relevance if (now initiated) freedom fighters Bhavan was built during the life time of veteran freedom fighters like Shivaram Hegde Kannalli, Subray Hegde Shiralagi, Krishna Bhat Kallal, Hasalar Devi and more such freedom fighters who lost everything during the movement. But he added that better late than never.To spread the message of the freedom fighters movement to the next generation and due respect to freedom fighters, the Bhavan must come up at the earliest, said family members of five such freedom fighters.