Belagavi: Gandhian ideologies spread far and wide from here. Despite its historical connect, Gandhi Ghar in Devagiri village, 16km from here, is crying for attention.This old building is spread on an acre of land donated by Bapusaheb Bhosale , the father of freedom fighter Sadashivrao Bhosale . Until a few months ago, Sadashivrao, 99, used to stay in the same building. He recently moved to his own residence in Kadoli, due to health-related issues. Presently, an anganwadi is being run here and social worker Shivaji Kaganikar of nearby village Kattanbhavi uses it the labour sensitization programmes.The Bhosale family has approached Gandhi Smarak Nidhi office in Bengaluru , urging it to take the building for social activities and spread Gandhian ideology on the 150th birth anniversary year of Mahatma Gandhi . Officials from Gandhi Smarak Nidhi recently visited Gandhi Ghar where the Belagavi district-level Congress Praja Parishad was held.Sadashivrao Bhosale told TOI that being a Gandhian he spent a majority of his life in Gandhi Ghar, spreading Gandhian philosophy and spinning the charkha. The British government had arrested him in 1942 from Pune for removing a British flag and sent him to Yarawada Jail in Pune for one-and-half years. He became an MLA from Belagavi (South) constituency in 1946 in Bombay province and was reelected in 1951. However, he resigned in 1954 on the advice of Gandhian Vinoba Bhave and engaged in spreading the Father of the Nation’s philosophy. When Bhave began the Bhudana (land donation) movement, Sadashivrao donated 20 acres to the poor.Later, Bhave sent Sadashivrao to Kusur hamlet in Mundagod taluk of Uttara Kannada district to sensitize people about Gram Swaraj and Gandhian values. Sadashivrao worked for the upliftment of the village for 12 years. Sadashivrao was arrested during the emergency for openly supporting the JP Movement. He was imprisoned for one year at Hindalaga jail.Sadashivrao’s son Vinod said that although his family had donated the land for Gandhi Ghar, the land was still in the name of their forefathers. He added that they were willing to handover it to the government if the building is converted into Gandhi memorial.Gandhi Ghar was built in 1952 by volunteers with funds contributed by Gandhi’s followers. It played a key role in strengthening the JP movement, especially during emergency period. Several Mahila Shivirs were held here too. The building was also used to create awareness among locals about the importance of Gram Swaraj.Vinobha Bhave had worked in Gandhi Ghar for some time and former Prime Minister Morarji Desai also visited the place.

Stay updated with all the Latest Hubli headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.