Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (DV)
Mangalore, May 15: Well-known freedom fighter Dr Ammembala Balappa passed away in a hospital here on Thursday May 15. He was 93.
Dr Balappa had been admitted to AJ Hospital on May 1 after he complained of breathing problems. He was diagnosed with anaemia too.
Dr Balappa remained unmarried. He had taken part in the freedom struggle, particularly in the 1942 Quit India Movement, and had been in Vellore jail for one-and-a-half years. While in jail, he met former prime minister P V Narasimha Rao who was also imprisoned and was in the same ward. Their friendship led Balappa to learn Hindi. He also came to know Jawaharlal
Nehru and Jayaprakash Narayan. Among his many followers was former union minister George Fernandes.
Born on February 23, 1922, he was basically from Sajipamunnur, Marnabail, Bantwal.
He played a key role in drafting the declaration of land policy (Land Reforms Act) by the Devraj Urs government during the then prime minister Indira Gandhi's tenure.
Proficient in Tulu, Konkani, Eng, Kannada and Hindi languages, he worked as a Hindi teacher in Karkala during Unification movement.
He was also a social activist who took part in several revolutionary movements and had strived for the education of backward communities.
For 25 years, he served as the president of Seva Sahakari Bank in Bantwal.
He also holds the distinction of starting the first Tulu newspaper 'Tulu Siri' in 1970.
In 1989, he rejected offer from JD(S) to contest from Bantwal constituency.