S R Patil visits Annadanaiah Puranik at Sagar Hospital

BENGALURU, October 7 – Hon. IT,BT Minister Sri S R Patil visited senior freedom fighter Annadanaiah Puranik at Sagar Hospital in Bengaluru on Wednesday.

The minister discussed with doctors and family member about the ongoing treatment to Mr. Puranik, who has to his credit the distinction of participating in Quit-India movement with Gandhiji. He also fought to free Hyderabad Karnataka from Razakaras. He contributed significantly to the struggle that unified Karnataka in 1956.

Mr.

Puranik, who is the younger brother of known Kannada laureate Siddaiah Puranik, is instrumental in making most of the Indian laws available in Kannada language. He played a major role in reviving Kannada Sahitya Parishath when it was on the verge of closure in early 1960s. He has also got a huge volume of Sharana Sahitya in manuscript published in different languages. He is the founding member of Basava Samiti.

Minister Mr. Patil said he would talk to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah about the bearing the medical expenses of ailing freedom fighter. Mr. Patil said people of Karnataka owed a lot to Mr.

Puranik. He expressed surprise at how a person like Mr. Puranik is not yet considered for even Rajyotsava Award. “I will take up the issue with the Minister concerned” he added.