Mysuru: As part of International Women’s Day celebrations, the District Women’s Wing of Akhila Karnataka Vokkaligara Sangha celebrated the birth anniversary of freedom fighter Yashodhara Dasappa at a programme organised at a private hotel in the city on Saturday.

Speaking after inaugurating the programme, former Zilla Panchayat (ZP) Member Lalitha G.T. Devegowda said that Yashodhara Dasappa has contributed a lot to the State.

Pointing out that Yashodhara plunged into the freedom struggle inspired by the speech of Mahatma Gandhi during his visit to Mysuru in 1927, Lalitha said that Yashodhara later went on to become the first Woman Minister of the State post-independence.

Yashodhara Dasappa’s daughter-in-law Saroja Tulasi Dasappa, who spoke after offering floral tributes to the portrait of Yashodhara, said that she was one of the frontline leaders from the State in the freedom struggle.

Stating that Yashodhara was the eldest daughter of Vokkaliga Sangha Founder K.H. Ramaiah, Saroja Tulasi Dasappa highlighted the contributions of Yashodhara to Karnataka.

Akhila Karnataka Vokkaligara Sangha State President C.G. Gangadhar, in his address, urged the State Government to name a prominent scheme of the Women and Child Development Department and a prominent Circle of the city after Yashodhara.

Following women achievers from different fields were conferred ‘Yashodhara Dasappa Mahila Ratna’ Award on the occasion:

Rakshitha Krishnappa (Sports), Geetha Montadka (Theatre), Modamani (Politics), Geetha Rukmangada (Business), Geetha Puttaswamy (Social Work), S. Lakshmidevi (Politics), C.J. Sujatha Krishna (Kannada organisation) and Susheela Nanjappa (Co-operation).

Tarini Chidananda Gowda (daughter of Poet Laureate Kuvempu), Vokkaligara Sangha Women’s Wing District President Latha Ranganath, former Deputy Mayor Shanthakumari, Tejesh Lokesh Gowda and                 others were present.