Karnataka - Bellary   

Vyayamashala to celebrate 75th anniversary

BELLARY: To commemorate the platinum jubilee (75th anniversary) of the Mallasajjana Vyayamashala here and also 150 years of the First War of Indian Independence, the vyayamshala has planned a “Vandemataram torch run” from the cellular jail in the Andaman Islands in order to spread the principles of national unity and solidarity.

A team will be leaving for Chennai on August 28 and will return from the Andamans with the torch on September 6. The run will start from Chennai on September 7 and reach Bellary on September 16.

“Bhaktakeshavara Datta and Mahaveer Prasad Singh were among several freedom fighters lodged in the cellular jail. The two inspired many to start the vyayamashala movement in the country. Therefore, we plan to bring the torch from the cellular jail,” said T.G. Vittal, secretary of the vyayamashala.

The vyayamashala was set up here on September 16, 1933, by freedom fighters B.G. Avadhani, Amarappa Gadag and Burli Seshanna under the aegis of Tekur Subramanyam (first MP from Bellary who represented it for three consecutive terms). The development of the institution was looked after by Bindu Madhav.

“Ten youths of the shala have been preparing to bring the torch from Chennai. The run will cover places such as Bangalore, Tumkur, Shimoga, Shikaripur, (where the entire village had revolted against the British), Kudligi, Toranagal and Bellary,” Mr. Vittal said.

This is the second time that the youths are organising a torch run. Earlier, to mark 50 years of Indian Independence, a team from the vyayamashala brought a torch from Kranti Maidan in Mumbai covering a distance of 900 km.

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Vyayamashala to celebrate 75th anniversary

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