Freedom fighters’ kin invited

Belagavi: Tourism minister HK Patil, chairman of the Centenary Celebration Committee of the 1924 Congress Session, visited the houses of leading freedom fighters Annu Guruju, Vitthal Rao Yalagi and Gangadhar Rao Deshpande here, and invited their family members to attend the unveiling of the statue of Mahatma Gandhi. During the visit, he cherished the days of the Indian freedom movement and the role of their respective families.
Mahesh Deshpande, grandson of Annu Guruji, said the 1924 session was held when Mahatma Gandhi gave the call for the abolition of untouchability. They were challenging days, he said.
Vitthal Rao Yalagi said 13 members of his family were arrested in the Indian freedom movement, while three others were involved in the movement for Goa's liberation.
Ravindra Deshpande, grandson of Gangadhar Rao Deshpande, said his grandfather collected Rs 72,000 in donation in 1924 for the session.