The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : ‘Convert Balabrooie into a memorial’

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Aug 10, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

‘Convert Balabrooie into a memorial’

Staff Reporter

— Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy

Memorable: A large number of freedom fighters attended the high tea hosted by Governor T.N. Chaturvedi at Raj Bhavan in Bangalore on Thursday. It was organised in connection with the 60th year of Independence.

Bangalore: The State unit of the Delhi-based All-India Freedom Fighters’ Samiti has urged Governor T.N. Chaturvedi to instruct the Government to convert the historical Balabrooie guesthouse here into a freedom fighters’ memorial.

Working president of the samiti K.S. Rajappa submitted a representation to that effect at a high tea organised by the Governor on the occasion of 60 years of Independence at Raj Bhavan here on Thursday.

The representation said that Balabrooie had played its own role in the history of the State. Many leaders such as S. Nijalingappa, B.D. Jatti and D. Devaraj Urs lived there when they were Chief Ministers.

Besides, many national leaders and poets, including Rabindranath Tagore, stayed there during their visit to the State.

Converting Balabrooie into a freedom fighters’ memorial would be an honour for those participated in the freedom movement, the representation said. According to Raj Bhavan sources, the Governor received several representations of various nature. In compliance with the tradition, the Governor would go through all the representations and forward them to the Government.

Over 125 freedom fighters from across the State attended the high tea.

The samiti’s representation has gained importance in the light of the Government’s reported interest in converting Balabrooie into a recreation club for legislators. Although the Government has not clarified its stand on the issue, some influential legislators were said to be keen on utilising the venue for recreation purposes.

Once the nerve centre of political activities of the State, Balabrooie is situated right opposite the High Grounds police station.

The last occupant of the magnificent mansion was Devaraj Urs. Despite its fascinating looks and ambience it has earned the distinction of being a “haunted house.”

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