The Hindu : Postal stamp planned to mark SN birth centenary

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Apr 27, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka

Postal stamp planned to mark SN birth centenary

By Our Staff Reporter

Bangalore April 26. The Union Minister for Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation, Ananth Kumar, said today that a postal stamp would be brought out to commemorate the birth centenary of the former Chief Minister, S. Nijalingappa.

Inaugurating the centenary celebrations here, Mr. Ananth Kumar said the Centre and the State Government should organise a yearlong programme to celebrate the birth centenary of the freedom fighter who stood for values in politics, and sacrifice. He said Nijalingappa did not make use of politics to assume power but had fought for the unification of Karnataka at the risk of his political career. The school curriculum should have chapters on the achievements of such leaders. He stressed the need to record for posterity the virtues of Nijalingappa. A film should be produced on the life and works of Nijalingappa, he added.

U.R. Ananthamurthy, Jnanpith Award winner, released the volumes of `Karnataka Rajakiya Chintane' containing articles on Nijalingappa and other issues.

He said Nijalingappa was a person of rare qualities and known for his humility, character, and commitment to values he cherished.

Karnataka, he said, was a model to the country in many ways. While Sir M.Visvesvaraya was committed to the cause of building a strong nation, the Maharajas of Mysore were the pioneers in introducing democratic institutions and reservation for empowering people. Nijalingappa, though an arch-rival of Indira Gandhi, had seen good traits in her. Nijalingappa used to recall the love Indira Gandhi had for children.

Another great thing about Nijalingappa was that he did not promote his children in politics, and he had a good personal life. Nijalingappa was not a casteist as some had observed, Dr. Ananthamurthy said.

He said Nijalingappa should have been honoured with the Bharata Ratna, which he deserved. Kuldip Nayyar, journalist and MP, released the English version of the `S.N Diary'. Recalling his association with Nijalingappa, Mr. Nayyar said that soon after Independence, it was impossible for a dishonest person to be in politics. Now, it was difficult to find a single person who led a clean public life like Nijalingappa.

The veteran journalist was unhappy that secularism was under attack in the country. As Indian High Commissioner, he recalled his conversation with the then British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, on her meeting with the then Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev. She had told Mr. Gorbachev to turn towards his old friend, India, for guidance. India, she had said, was managing its affairs well amidst plurality in all walks of life, Mr. Nayyar said.

The Minister for Large- and Medium-scale Industries, R.V. Deshpande, admitted that there was deterioration of values among politicians about which everyone, including those in politics, should introspect. The people were responsible for such a state of affairs. The book on S.N. should be brought out in all languages, including Hindi, he added.

The Floor Leader of the Janata Dal (U) in the Legislative Assembly, P.G.R. Sindhia, who worked under Nijalingappa soon after the Emergency, said S.N. had great concern for the poor.

Nijalingappa used to enquire with those who met him about the problems faced by the people in their areas. He had regretted that even after decades of Independence people still had no proper roads and drinking water. Mr. Sindhia inaugurated an exhibition of drawings by S.N and photographs of his time.

Balagangadharanatha Swamiji of Adichunchanagiri Math, Shivamurthy Murugharajendra Swamiji of Chitradurga, and Shivaratri Desikendra Swamiji of Suttur Math spoke. The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister, M.Y.Ghorpade, the Vice-Chairman of the State Planning Board, H. Hanumanthappa, the Minister of State for Kannada and Culture, Rani Satish, the former minister and MLA, V. Somanna, and Nittoor Srinivasa Rau, Chairman of the Senior Citizens' Forum, were present.

Y. Ramachandra, Managing Trustee of Sri Nijalingappa Rashtriya Pratishthana, welcomed the gathering. M.V.Rajasekharan, MP and son-in-law of Nijalingappa, was also present.

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Postal stamp planned to mark SN birth centenary