Ammembala Balappa
Ammembala Balappa | |
|---|---|
| Born | 23 February 1922 British India |
| Died | 15 May 2014 (aged 92) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation(s) | Activist, teacher, journalist |
| Movement | Quit India Movement |
| Parent |
|
| Awards | Swarna Swathanthrya by the Government of Karnataka |
Ammembala Balappa (23 February 1922 – 15 May 2014) was an Indian
Biography
Ammembala Balappa was born in Bantwal taluk of Dakshina Kannada on 23 February 1922. His father Thaniya Moolya died in childhood, his mother shifted to another village along with her children including Balappa.
Balappa was born in a family of potters at a time when casteism was at its peak and prevented him from studying after attending classes for just six months in Class I. Then he shifted to Mangalore to his uncle’s home. Balappa was joined to work as a helper in a British officer, who was in-charge of administrative affairs in Mangalore.His work pleased the officer and helped him get a job in sanitation department. He also learnt to speak and read English.
At the age of 20, he took inspiration from
On 15 August 1947 Balappa hoisted tricolour flag at Sultan bateri watch tower in Mangalore. [1]
Later, he opened a school in a remote village in southern Karnataka, where he worked as a Hindi teacher during the Unification movement. He became involved in the labour movement in Mangalore, started cooperative banks to help rural folk. He was one of the main contributors to the Declaration of Land Policy (Land reforms Act) by the D. Devaraj Urs's government during PM Indira Gandhi's tenure.[1]
Balappa was also recognized as a journalist, as he published a
Proficient in Tulu, Konkani, English, Kannada and Hindi languages, he worked as a Hindi teacher in Karkala during Unification movement.[2]
Balappa founded Bantwal Society Service Co-operative Bank in 1980, to provide financial assistance to the rural folks. He had also served as a member of the Land Justice Board between 1975–1977, 1980–1983, 1985–1988. He was a member of the Karnataka state government's Backward Class Commission and Mangalore University Academy Council member from 1982 to 1992.[5]
He was also the founder of Samaja Seva Sahakari Bank of Bantwal.
This bank was started with only 131 members with a share capital of INR 22.620 /- (Twenty six rupee and sixty two paisa only).[8]
In 1989, he rejected offer from JD(S) to contest from Bantwal constituency.
He was honoured with the 'Swarna Swathanthrya' award by the
Balappa was also guru of trade unionist and union minister George Fernandes.[9][10]
Death
At the age of 93, he died on 15 May 2014 in Mangalore.[5]
References
- ^ a b Ammembala, Naveen (August 5, 2012). "The lifelong revolutionary". Hindustan Times.
- ^ "ಬಿ.ಸಿ.ರೋಡಿನ ಮುಖ್ಯವೃತಕ್ಕೆ ನಾಮಕರಣ ಗೊಂದಲ" (in Kannada). Mega Media News. August 6, 2015.
- ^ a b "Mangalore: Freedom fighter Dr Ammembala Balappa no more". Mangalore: Daijiworld Media. May 15, 2014.
- ^ Communicator - Volume 39. Anjan Kumar Banerji at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication. 2004. p. 144.
With the birth of Tulusiri in October 1970, Tulu journalism made its formal beginning. It was a monthly edited by Dr Ammembala Balappa. Unfortunately it had a short life span of three years. It built up a circulation of more than 2,000 copies with good support from advertisers . It contributed a lot to the development of Tulu literature and culture.
- ^ a b c d "Freedom fighter Ammembal Balappa no more". Deccan Herald. May 15, 2014.
- Mangalorean. August 11, 2022.
- ISBN 978-9356480810.
- ^ "History". sssbank.in. Archived from the original on 2020-02-01. Retrieved 2021-07-16.
- New Indian Express. January 30, 2019. Archived from the originalon July 19, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
- ^ Raghava, M. (January 30, 2019). "George Fernandes, a revolutionary from his childhood". The Hindu.
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