Bantwal: Veteran Freedom Fighter Shyamrao Achar Laments Current State of  Nation

News and Pics From Mounesh Vishwakarma
For Daijiworld Media Network—Bantwal (RD/CN)

Bantwal, Aug 16: 'All the internal issues faced by the nation will have to be solved within a decade of gaining Independence,' dreamt late PM Jawaharlal Nehru. However, we have been fighting over sharing of water, languages, and state boundaries. 'Is this independence ?, ' enquires veteran freedom fighter M D Shyamarao Achar.

Conversing with a delegation from the Bantwal Taluk Working Journalists’ Association, at his son-in-law’s house, where he's staying, Achar said Gandhiji thought an era of industrialization would not be suited to the country soon after independence. He expected the welfare of Below Poverty Line (BPL) families ahead of industrialization. However, now in the guise of setting up mega industries, the fragile environment of our nation as well as ancient culture and hierarchy is under threat, he lamented.

Achar advised everyone to introspect on the bloodshed caused by communal flare-ups, and terrorism. 'No worthy people's welfare tasks have been undertaken by the government in the recent past. This is because people's representatives and bureaucrats lack knowledge of the constitution,' he added.

In the pre-Independence era, British rulers resorted to autocracy to curb Indian uprisings and now, despite six decades of independence, it seems everything is misused to a greater extent. A few irresponsible teachers are bringing disgrace to the larger number of dedicated teachers who have the task of educating the new generation, he said.

Naxals resort to violence to achieve their objective of social equality, but this amounts to treason, said Achar. Naxalism takes root when common folks are denied their basic rights and the government and its various departments are responsible for this. On being asked his thoughts on terrorism spreading its tentacles across the country, he said that such heinous crimes are committed by those who have no love for their motherland. Terrorism in the country is supported by other nations with their own evil motives. It’s essential for us to be vigilant of such activities in our neighbourhood, he cautioned.

Partition of India and Pakistan, the right decision?

Achar defended the stance taken by Gandhiji in dividing greater India into two countries, because owing to the situation prevalent at the time, there was lesser chances of peace among Muslims and Hindus. Gandhiji surrendered to the idea of forming two independent states in order to avoid communal flare-ups all over the country, he said. Commenting about the nuclear deal with the US, he said that the country is slowly delving into modernity. Achar opined that it’s time the nation became a nuclear power.

Patriotism was Ignited in Early Childhood

The freedom fighter hails from B C Road, in Bantwal taluk, and has lived most of his life in Shimoga. Although he has been educated only till Class II, he is fluent in Kannada, Tamil, Hindi, English, and Telugu. 'During my school days I used to take the Tricolour and shout 'Bharat mata ki jai', distributing patriotic literature, which instilled in me the fire of patriotism for Mother India. I used take happiness in singing patriotic songs,' reminisces Achar.

In 1944, he was involved in petty acts in his hometown such as bursting country firecrackers near Brahmarakootlu bridge and damaging a telephone pole. He was terrified when chased by the police and took shelter in a nearby barn. His father anticipated his imprisonment by the police and sent him to his uncle Puttanna in  Shimoga. The saga of his freedom struggle continued from there.

He was actively involved in the Congress Seva Dal and was entrusted with the responsibility of organizing the youth for the freedom struggle. He used to work on this as well as in his uncle’s jewellery workshop at home. He was imprisoned for two months in 1946 when the local small rulers resisted takeover attempts of their holdings. He became a in Shimoga for two decades soon after Independence. Achar was an atheist till 1955 when he was converted after a visit to the Sai Baba shrine.

Achar has been granted a housing plot by the government at Kakkepadav, in Bantwal taluk. He also gets pension and free season ticket. His family consists of wife Rajeevi,  five daughters, and one son. However, after an accident he's temporarily moved toat his son-in-law Suresh Acharya’s house at Kalladka.