Bengaluru: The Government of Karnataka has announced the “Mahatma Gandhi Seva Award – Karnataka” for the year 2020 and 2021 conferred by the Department of Information and Public Relations, to recognise and honour the dignitaries who have served the society in a meaningful manner based on Gandhi’s principles.
The selection committee has selected Freedom Fighter from Bagalkot district for the year 2020, Meera Bai Koppikar and for the year 2021, “Sri Siddaganga Institute of Education and Sri Siddaganga Matha”.
Five lakh each will be given to the recipients of the award at the ceremony to mark at Gandhi Jayanti celebrations to be held at Gandhi House, Bengaluru on October 2.
Sri Siddaganga Educational Institute and Sri Siddaganga Matha
Dr. Sivakumara Swamiji’s was known as “Walking God” and he has empowered millions of children without discrimination of any caste or religion for over 80 years. Sri Siddaganga Educational Institute, Kyathasandra, Tumakuru known as the most prestigious institution in the country and also houses Sri Siddaganga Matha.
Meerabai Koppikar
Meerabai Koppikar belongs to the family of wealthy Koppikars of Hubballi. She is now 96 years old.
Meerabai Koppikar, who was a Gandhian, participated in the freedom struggle. Also has visited and stayed in Sabarmati ashram. She participated in the freedom struggle along with Vinoba Bhave and managed to donate a total of 40000 acres of land from Karnataka.
She lives life sans expectations and that has been her mission.
“Something needs to be offered to the society,” she says. Also an organic farmer, she produces and sells her own yield and makes a living from it.
“Vathsalya Dhama” is the home of Vinoba Bhave’s mother, Rukmini Bhave, a native of Jamakhandi, where now Koppikar stays.
In 2008, Koppikar was awarded the Rajyotsava Award, and the award money is still in the bank, which she has asked to be used for the welfare of the people. The gold medal that came with the award was utilised to raise money for poor after selling the same.
