‘Women should draw inspiration from Kittur Rani’s life and ideals’

The bravery and sacrifice of Kittur Rani Chennamma, who fought the British fearlessly, remain an enduring source of inspiration for every woman in the country, said MLC Tippannappa Kamakanur.

He was speaking after garlanding the portrait of Rani Chennamma at a programme jointly organised by the District Administration, the Department of Kannada and Culture, the City Corporation and the Zilla Panchayat in Kalaburagi on Thursday.

“Our government has implemented five major guarantee schemes for the welfare of women, including free bus travel. Every woman should draw courage and inspiration from Kittur Rani Chennamma’s life and ideals,” Mr. Kamakanur said.

MLC Shashil G. Namoshi, in his address, said that Rani Chennamma had mastered horse riding and swordsmanship at a young age and was the first Indian woman ruler to take up arms against the British in defence of her kingdom.

“A statue of the valiant queen should be installed at one of the major circles in Kalaburagi. The existing statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at Patel Circle should also be redesigned to a height of 15 ft to make it more prominent,” he said.

Responding to the suggestion, Kalaburagi South MLA Allamprabhu Patil promised that he will hold discussions with the State government regarding the installation of Rani Chennamma’s statue in the city.

“Her courage and heroism in the freedom struggle are a matter of great pride for our land. The government will organise programmes to spread her ideals among the younger generations,” he said.

Writer Neelambika Police Patil delivered a special lecture, stating that Rani Chennamma’s role in India’s freedom movement transcended caste and community.

“Her contribution deserves to be remembered as a symbol of women’s empowerment and resistance,” she said, calling for greater participation from people of all communities in future celebrations of her birth anniversary.

Earlier, Mr. Shashil Namoshi inaugurated the day’s celebrations by garlanding Rani Chennamma’s portrait at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Circle, from where a procession was taken out to the Rangamandira where various cultural programmes were organised.

Students who excelled in essay competitions on the occasion were felicitated.

Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation chairman Arun Kumar Patil, MLA M.Y. Patil, Deputy Commissioner Fauzia Taranum, Protocol Tahsildar Umakant, Election Tahsildar Pampayya, social workers Jayashree Matimad, Janavi Sharan Kumar Modi, Jyothi Arun Kumar and Jyothi Margol were among those present.

District president of Veeramata Kittur Rani Chennamma Samaja, Mala Kanni and Deputy Director of Kannada and Culture Department Jagadishwari A. Nasi also spoke on the occasion.