Daijiworld Media Network - Dharwad (SP)

Dharwad, Mar 17: Centenarian journalist par excellence, avid Kannada activist and litterateur Patil Puttappa (101), breathed his last on Monday March 16 night. He was down with age-related ailments since sometime.

Patil Puttappa, born in Kurubagonda village in Haveri taluk that has been since cared out of Dharwad as a separate district, fondly called Papu by Kannadigas, was undergoing treatment at Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences, Hubballi, since about a month. He was under the care of experienced doctors but without responding to treatments, he passed away at around 9.30 pm on Monday.

Papu underwent education in journalism in USA, returned to homeland, and took over as the editor of 'Navayuga'. He also instituted publications, 'Vishwavani' and 'Prapancha' for which he was also the editor. He was vocal in criticising those who followed the policies that were detrimental to the interests of Kannadigas. He was in the forefront of a number of movements relating to protecting the interests of Kannada and Karnataka.

Chosen as the first ever president of 'Karnataka Vidyavardhaka Sangha' which came into being in 1967 as the first and leading cultural organization of the state, Papu continued in that post till the last. He had worked hard for furthering the cause of Kannada and culture of the state. He was in the lead of several movements and actions including Gokak movement.