Kannadigas remember Kadidal Manjappa

New Delhi, Aug 26 (UNI) Kannadigas in Delhi today observed the centenary of elder statesman and former Karnataka chief minister Kadidal Manjappa.

A large number of writers, academicians and artists paid rich tributes at the centenary function organised by local monthly 'Dehali Kannadiga' and rememebered Manjappa's contributions for introducing several progressive legislations including Land Reforms Act providing for measures that went well with people from poor, downtrodden sections of the society and released vast streches of agricultural lands to the tillers.

Hailing from nature rich Shimoga district, Manjappa, a leading Gandhian and a lawyer led many struggles in the state for probity in public life after he distanced himself from Congress party and active politics. He joined protests against emergency excesses and headed Congress for Democracy in Karnataka, the unit of the one floated by Babu Jagjivan Ram after he quit the Indira Gandhi Cabinet.

Manjappa also penned three novels and an autobiography titled 'Nanasagada Kanasu' (An Unrealised Dream).

Dehali Kannadiga Editor M B Samaga in his address urged Karnataka Government to build dormitory in his memoray for Kannadigas visiting Delhi, many of whom can't afford to stay in hotel rooms and guest houses charging enormous rents even for middle class. He said his magazine would honour a Karnataka minister in Manjappa's name at the 25th Kannada Conference in Delhi on April 5 and 6 next year.

UNI