Mysore/Mysuru: Observing that freedom fighter Yashodhara Dasappa was a woman of steel and was an inspiration to the entire women community, veteran littérateur Dr. C.P. Krishnakumar (CPK) said her life was full of struggles for the cause of independence.

He was speaking after releasing writer S. Prakash Babu’s work ‘Karnatakada Modala Mahila Mantri Ukkina Mahile Yasodhara Dasappa’ (an autobiography) at the 120th birth anniversary celebrations of Yashodhara Dasappa, organised jointly by the city’s Negilayogi Mahileyara Kshemabhivruddhi Sangha and Negilayogi Samaja Seva Trust, at Negilayogi Maruleshwara Seva Bhavan, in Jayanagar (Malalawadi) here yesterday.

Pointing out that Yashodhara Dasappa, who was a frontline freedom fighter in her younger days, was the first woman Minister of the State, Dr. C.P.K said when Yashodhara was the Social Welfare Minister in the S. Nijalingappa Cabinet, she had demanded introduction of Liquor Prohibition Act. But as the Government did not enforce the Act, she resigned from the Cabinet in protest, which shows her commitment to the society’s welfare.

“It would not be an exaggeration to say that Yashodhara was a great woman (Maha Mahile) who achieved big in social and political arenas in the history of Modern Karnataka. She was involved in freedom struggle and also took part in Shivapura Satyagraha”, he said adding that such charismatic and honest political leaders like her cannot be seen these days.

Noting that autobiographies of many men achievers have come out, he said that similarly, that of women achievers too must be published in greater numbers. Maintaining that the book author Prakash Babu has come up with a valuable work, he said that the book contains 18 chapters on the life of Yashodhara Dasappa and every woman should read it.

Environmentalist and Medical professional Dr. Shwetha Sadanand, who has launched a tree planting campaign was conferred with the prestigious ‘Yashodhara Dasappa Seva’ award-2024.

Newly elected MLC from South Teachers Constituency K. Vivekananda was felicitated on the occasion.

H.C. Dasappa Institute of Public Affairs Secretary Saroja Tulasidas, IPS Officer A.N. Prakash Gowda, who is serving as the SP (Internal Security) at Mangaluru, book author S. Prakash Babu, Sangha President Shobha Ramesh, Trust President D. Ravikumar and others were present.

The book, published by Negilayogi Samajaseva Trust, has 76 pages and is priced at Rs. 70.