Bengaluru: The services and contributions of Mrs Shakuntala Kurtkoti, a veteran freedom fighter, Life Worker, and Secretary of the Gandhi Peace Foundation Centre, Dharwad, were remembered on the eve of her centenary-year celebrations at the Karnataka Vidyawardhaka Sangha in Dharwad recently. Glowing tributes were paid to Mrs Shakuntala Kurtkoti by the guests and speakers in the day-long deliberations at the Dr Patil Puttappa auditorium. Meanwhile, all those who were associated with the Gandhi Peace Foundation Centre more than three decades ago rejoiced, recalling the good old days.
Fundamental privilege of freedom at crossroads: Octogenarian S R Hiremath, founder president of the Samaja Parivarthana Samudaya NGO, a renowned environmentalist and anti-corruption activist, responsible for packing mining baron Gali Janardhan Reddy to the gallows, delivered the keynote address. However, sadly, he dwelt upon a major portion of his speech on the current deliberations in the apex court over the issue of the fundamental right of freedom of speech. He was also univocal on the pathetic plight of parliamentary debates over major subjects pertaining to the country and the interests of the general public. At times, he also appeared disturbed at the deterioration of values in public life, and recollected having met Mrs Shakuntala Kurtkoti, Shankar Kurtkoti, among many others, before he started working in the villages, after returning from the United States, once the emergency was lifted in the country.
DC feels disappointed: Mrs Snehal R, Deputy Commissioner, inaugurated the daylong celebrations organised by the Karnataka Vidyawardhaka Sangha, Gandhi Peace Foundation Centre, Department of Gandhian Studies of Karnataka University and Khadi centres of Garag and Hebballi. She reflected on the personality of Mrs Shakuntala Kurtkoti, based on the inputs available on the net and felt them to be too meagre considering the overall contributions of the noble soul. She inaugurated the proceedings by pouring water into a flower pot.
Khadi weavers felicitated: Khadi weavers of Hebballi Khadi centre were honoured on the occasion as a mark of respect to the weaving community. Initially, Dr Sanjeev Kulkarni, Vice President of Karnataka Vidyawardhak Sangha and President of the Gandhi Peace Foundation Centre, was found working on the traditional spinning wheel, spinning yarn. Once he took over the stage to preside over the inaugural function, the same task was taken over by another boy and a girl. They were found working with the charakas throughout the function.
Raghav Kammar's concert: As a prelude to the daylong celebrations, Raghav Kammar entertained the audience by rendering several songs, including translations of renowned poets and those of Kabir Das.
Shakuntala Kurtkoti as seen by me: The inauguration function was followed by a session titled, "Shakuntala Kurtkoti in my view". Mrs Bharati Joshi, Ashok Kurtkoti, only son of the late Mrs Shakuntala and Shankar Kurtkoti, Shankar Halagatti, and Manohar Yadavatti presented their views. Mrs Bharati Joshi recalled the intimate relations her and Mrs Shakuntala Kurtkoti's families shared, remembering several instances. "Mrs Shakuntala Kurtkoti never wore any ornaments, nor practised religious rituals. But her beliefs never came against the wishes of others. She appeared wholeheartedly in our house for any puja ceremony", informed Mrs Bharati Joshi.
Regret for life: Ashok Kurtkoti, a retired Mechanical Engineer of the multinational giant L&T, an alumnus of the Surthakal Regional Engineering College, was appreciative of his upbringing by his parents. "Both encouraged me in all possible ways to make a career and settle down in life. They were supportive all along, during the student days, professional career, and independent family life. But a guilt continues to haunt me about the last phase of my mother, after the passing away of my father. She refused to leave Dharwad and come to Pune to stay with us, nor were we in a position to move to Dharwad to be with her. Despite requests from family, friends and relatives, she insisted on spending her last days in an Ashram for senior citizens. Her plight in the end continues to trouble me and has almost developed into a regret for life", felt Ashok Kurtkoti.
A mother in an unknown place: Shankar Halagatti, General Secretary of Karnataka Vidyawardhaka Sangha, turned emotional while recalling his association with the veteran freedom fighter. "She was always straight to the point in communication and transparent in money matters. It was like having a mother in an unknown place. She encouraged me in holding a youth camp at our native village of Kalahal in Ramdurg Taluk", exclaimed Shankar Halagatti.
PPP of the photographs: Mrs Banashankari Sugur did a PowerPoint presentation showcasing several nostalgic photographs of Mrs Shakuntala Kurtkoti involved in a variety of activities related to several wings of the Gandhi Peace Foundation Centre.
An amazing personality: Prof Shivanand Shettar, former HoD, Department of Gandhian Studies, Karnataka University, narrated several instances to bring to light the amazing personality that Mrs Shakuntala Kurtkoti was. "Her explanation on the concept of beauty at the time of the controversial Miss Universe contest in Bengaluru, under the regime of late J H Patel as the chief minister, was an eye-opener of the intellectual capabilities she possessed", said Prof Shivanand Shettar.
Khadi sector on the crossroads: R S Siddanti, who has been associated with the Khadi producing centres of the Dharwad Taluk Seva Sangh, founded by Shankar Kurtkoti, gave a grim picture of the challenges being faced by the Khadi rural industry, due to changes in policies with the changing governments.
A source of inspiration: Govind Madiwalar, popularly known as Gandhi in the GPFC circles, recalled the days spent during his association with the youth wing of the GPFC while studying in Dharwad. He also credited Mrs Shakuntala Kurtkoti for his turnaround for betterment in life.
Promise for more time to GPFC: Dr Sanjeev Kulkarni, President of GPFC and Vice President of Karnataka Vidyawardhaka Sangha, Basavaprabhu Hosakeri, General Secretary of GPFC and Working President of Karnataka Vidyawardhaka Sangha, and Shankar Halagatti, General Secretary of Karnataka Vidyawardhaka Sangha, admitted to not being able to do justice to their positions in the GPFC. However, they hoped to give it a try to do better in the days to come.
A model personality: Mrs Sharada Gopal, social activist, was the chief guest for the valedictory function. She opined that Mrs Shakuntala Kurtkoti was a role model in society, having interacted with and worked with all sections of society, and recalled her services in different spheres.
Reminiscences shared: Octogenarian Prof. K.S. Bhasme, immediate past president of the GPFC, shared his reminiscences with Mrs Shakuntala Kurtkoti and the GPFC. He also described himself as fit to the core and felt offended when people inquired whether he would come on his own, driving his car!
Song and drama: The Dharwad-based Yoga Mitra Mahila Mandal, an all-women troupe, presented a musical theatre on the life history of Mrs Shakuntala Kurtkoti. It was a combination of singing, acting, dancing, accompanied by spoken dialogue and a befitting tribute to the daylong show. What appeared intriguing was the enthusiasm of the sexagenarians and septuagenarians performing literally like school-going children!
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