CM, Moily remember Attavara Yellappa on his birth centenary celebrations

Mangalore, May 6: The birth centenary of freedom fighter Barrister Attavara Yellappa was celebrated at a grand function in Mangalore on Sunday.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. M Veerappa Moily, Union Minister for Corporate Affairs, said that the nation needs to remember people like Yellappa today so as to inculcate patriotic values.

“Today we do not have British to fight against but there are political and social evils that have stood before us as our enemies. To take them on, one must possess immense patriotism which people like Yellappa possessed. They preferred to die so that the people of the nation could live in peace. Yellappa was not only a good associate of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose but also a man with great organizing capacity which he exhibited in starting and handling the affairs of 'Azad Bank' o INA. This again shows that he was the real son of South Canara who had the banking skill in his blood”, Dr. Moily said.

Recalling the contributions and sacrifices of Attavara Yellappa, Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda said that on one hand when Gandhiji went about the freedom struggle upholding values of non-violence, it was also necessary for our countrymen to take up arms, which Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and Attavara Yellappa did.

“They wanted to build a free India. But today's India is not the India of their dreams. Today problems such as terrorism, naxalism, lust for power etc have marred our country. Each and every one of us can make a difference. It is not possible for us to make great sacrifices like Yellappa made. But at least every one of us can contribute to the growth of the nation by being a responsible citizen”, he said.

The Chief Minister also said that suggestions of building a statue of Yellappa, building a road in his name and naming the Mangalore Airport after him have been put forth before him. After consultations and holding discussions, an apt step would be taken in this regard, he said.

Prof Jagmohan Singh (Bhagath Singh's nephew), Subroth Bose (Netaji Subhashchandra Bose's nephew), Adil Shah Nawaz (Shah Nawaz Khan's grandson) and his wife Mahabin Shah Nawaz, Poornima Dhillon, V P Saini, Chairman, Nethaji Research Foundation were felicitated on the occasion.