"The Choice you Make Today Determines The outcome of Tomorrow"
IMG 7970 copy Donar Veerappa Late. Sri. Togari Veerappa

Memoir of Distinguished Philanthropist Donor -

Late.Sri. Vidyapravardhaka Togari Veerappa

Sri.Togari Veerappa was born in 1866 at Mudhol of Yelaburga Taluk of Koppal District of the Hyderabad-Karnataka region. He was adopted by Sri.Togari Shankarappa of Ballari. He worked in the Sindagi’s shop at Ballari. Later on he was forced to shoulder the responsibility of the business due to untimely demise of Sri. Togari Shankarappa. To overcome the financial difficulties of the family, he constructed the “Sindagi Shopping Complex” near Brucepet Police Station of Ballari. The concept of shopping complex constructed a century ago remains as a staunch reality for his vision and acumen of Sri. Togari Veerappa.

During those days, it was inevitable for the people of Ballari to learn Telugu and to protect the Kannadigas, he initiated the step along with other luminaries to start the then “Madras Veerashaiva Sangha” in 1916. At that time, their houses became the hostels for outstations students pursuing education. Many people worked as Teachers by side lining their business to overcome financial crisis of Sangha. He constructed free boarding and lodging for the poor students above his shop only. Later on, due to scarcity of space, he constructed a hostel by purchasing a site in Gandhinagar for 18 to 20 thousand rupees in 1918. Afterwards, it was donated to V.V.Sangha in 1921.

It was known as Togari Veerappa’s Hostel at that time. Some of the great scholars, administrators, social reformers who were brought up in the hostel are Pandit Y.Nagesh Shastri, Kappagal Prabhu Swamiji, K.O. Channabasappa (Retired District Judge), I.Basavaraj (Retired District Judge), Kurugodu Rajasekhar Goudru, a philanthropist, Sri.Bellad Channappanavarau of Chitwadigi - Hosapete and other top notch personalities.

Sri Togari Veerappa’s efforts also resulted in the construction of Hostel at A.D.B. College, Harapanahalli. He rendered his yeoman services for the construction of Hostel at Ballari, presently turned into a Kittur Rani Channamma High School.

His memorable services in the V.V. Sangha in various capacities are 1917-18 as a Vice-President, 1919-21 as a Joint Secretary, 1922-31 as a President, 1931-35 as a Treasurer.

On 06.05.1935 during British regime, on account of Silver Jubilee Celebrations of George-V, Sri. Togari Veerappa was conferred medal as “Legend of National Service”.

In recognition of his service, the seer of Sri Kedar Peetha has blessed and awarded him as “Vidyapravardhaka”. Sri.Togari Veerappa used to pay surprise visit to the hostel and used to check the quality of food being supplied to inmates. This reflects the concern for the wellbeing of the students. With his sincere commitment and conviction, he dedicated the rest of his life for the cause of development of education and had his last breath on 5th April, 1944.

The hostel dedicated to V.V.Sangha today has manifested as a prime source of Women education in Bellary district, presently known as Smt. Allum Sumangalamma Memorial College for Women.

A BRIEF ABOUT Smt.Allum Sumangalamma, Founder & donor OF THE COLLEGE

IMG 7979 copy

Smt. Allum Sumangalamma was born on 25th January, 1920. She was the only daughter of renowned business tycoon of Sri.Gadigi Channappa and Smt.Nagamma. She had her primary education from Saint Philomena School, Ballari. Since her childhood days she was known for her simplicity, humility, modesty and was down to the earth at her home. She perfectly maintained a balance between work life and family life. Even though she hailed from an affluent family, never she was possessive, authoritative, commanding and was greatly identified for her egolessness. She strongly believed in the Saint Basaveshwar’s preaching’s of “Work is Worship”. It is indeed worth mentioning that many personalities were involved and fought in the process of unification of the then Mysore State on a language basis. In fact, the struggle was all the more severe particularly in the border district. Moreover, it was a rare gesture on the part of Women to enter into political life at that point of time, during 1930s. Under such circumstances, having come from a traditionally rich family, Smt. Allum Sumangalamma became a role model by rendering services to the public.

She never dreamt of entering into politics. It was unwanted and virtually she was forced to contest as an independent candidate to the Assembly Elections held on 19/03/1946 and emerged as a successful member of the legislative assembly with a thumping majority against the opponent Congress candidate of Smt. T.B.Jayalakshmidevi. After her successful entry into the Madras Assembly, she immediately resigned for the sake of unification cause of Bellary into the Mysore State. Even though she was defeated by Mundluru Gangappa in the Bi-Elections, she never gave up her determination and protest for unification of Bellary into the Mysore State. Then Ballari was included in Mysore State on 1st October, 1952. However, the elected representative Mr. Mundluru Gangappa challenged the unification and resigned against inclusion of Bellary in the Mysore State. Then, again elections to the Assembly were declared on 10.06.1957. In that election, with the staunch support of Smt. Allum Sumangalamma, Sri.Hargainadoni Sanna Basavagaoud, won the election with a huge margin and thus the result was the unsolicited support extended by all the people irrespective of caste, creed, language, etc to Smt. Allum Sumangalamma. It was a historic and memorable event in the history of Ballari in connection with its unification of Bellary into the Mysore State.

Sri.S.Nijalingappa, the then Chief Minister of Karnataka remarked that Smt. Allum Sumangalamma being soft spoken, her talks used to carry lot of weightage. She had excellent communication skills. As a member of the Government, she used raise the voice both in favour of Government on various schemes and also she never afraid of speaking in favour of people when it comes into the question of implementation of welfare policies of the Government. Sri. Allum Karibasappa, spouse of Smt. Allum Sumangalamma was elected twice to the Assembly from Kurugodu constituency, her son Sri.Allum Veerabhadrappa elected to the Assembly Three times from the same constituency, and he was also the President of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee. It goes into the history of Bellary’s political scenario that Smt. Allum Sumangalamma left indelible impressions in the minds of people. This short lived legend had her last breath on 14.09.1968 at the age of 48 and her footprints have become beacon light for the younger generations particularly the Women of this backward Hyderabad-Karnataka region.

DSC03298

* * *

ಸಂಪರ್ಕ ವಿಳಾಸ

Smt. Allum Sumangalamma Memorial
College for Women
Sri Togari Veerappanavara
Datti Avarana,
Allum Sumangalamma Road,
1st Cross, Gandhi Nagar 1st,
Ballari 583103
08392-256756
08392-257624
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Please publish modules in offcanvas position.