Nonagenarian pens book on freedom struggle

The books have been published in Kannada, English, Hindi laungauges and will be translated into Marathi and Gujarati shortly.

Express News Service

Mysore, August 16

As age passes by losing memory is a common sight. But, here is a nonagenarian who has penned a book at the age of 90, recollecting the days of struggle for India’s freedom, which is indeed a daunting task.

Being a freedom fighter Somaling Appanna Malagali, a native of Belgaum has brought out the book 'History of Indian Freedom Struggle and Gandhi', in Kannada, English, Hindi languages and will be translated into Marathi and Gujarati shortly.

He has gathered information about freedom fighters and social reformers since from 2006, by visiting Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Varda Ashrama, Sabarmathi Ashram, and many other places. He has even referred books on freedom fighters before writing the book and has published about rare 50 photographs in the book.

The books which starts with Jhanxi Lakshmi Bai chronicles ends with Gandhi struggle, and life history, movement struggle of Subhaschandra Bose, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sepaigala Kranthi (revolution of Sepais), Vallabahai Patel, Swami Vivekananda, Bhagat Singh, Veersavarkar, Tippu Sultan, Lokmanya Balagangadhar Tilak, Bengali Sanyasis, have been described in the book.

The wars of Independence – A bird Eye views, Freedom fighters of 18^th and 19^th century, All India National Congress, unique incidents of Sabrmati and Sevegram Ashram have been published in the book.

Somalinga Appanna said that “Gandhiji visited Udali District in 1937 and later Gandhi Bhavan was constructed in the place to mark his memory. During the time about 25 photographs of Gandhi were exhibited on the hall. But, due to rain the photos washed out and I was deep hurted by the incident. Later, I decided to bring back the glory, and started collecting the information about freedom fighters.”

Appanna has been jailed two times during times of Independence and he has meet Gandhiji twice at his Sabarmati Ashrama in 1944- 45. Achut Ramchandra Vadalli, an executive engineer has helped Appanna in his journey. Gandhian H Gangadharan released the book in Mysore on Friday.