Udupi, 14 Aug 2015: K Laxminarayana Sharma was just 17-year-old when he had plunged into freedom struggle after hearing the speech of Mahatma Gandhi who arrived at Bhuvanendra Ayurvedashram, Katpady, near here during 1934. He abandoned his family and remained as honest party activist of Congress till India was liberated. He had partaken in flag protest, quit India struggle and several protest.
He opted for handloom clothes, fully trusted Gandhian philosophy of non-violence in overthrowing British imperial rulers, and was imprisoned in Yerawada, Tumkur, Bijapur, Pune and Bengaluru central prisons.
He observed fasting on Independence Day because he felt deeply distress because of the partition of greater India into Pakistan. He also joined in the struggle to liberate Mysore kingdom that took 40 days, actively partaken in Vinoba Bhave’s land for poor struggle. He had returned Copper Award that was presented to him for his active role in freedom struggle as a token of protest, when the then PM Indira Gandhi announced Emergency Rule in the country. He took Udupi district-wide campaign against Emergency Rule.
Laxminarayana is not 97-year-old settled in the land allotted by the government for freedom fighter at Arasikatte, near Bantakal, here. He served as Hindi teacher at Hindu PU College, Shirva, near here and became progressive farmer toiling in his farmland. He lives with his son Ramakrishna who is succeeded him as progressive farmer.
His health is failing and become fragile. The new generation may not be interested in his sacrifices for the nation, patriotism, simplicity and contentment in life. However, one cannot forget the truth behind his struggle.
Meanwhile, Laxminarayan is not happy with the national politics, the corruption of bureaucrats and politics, favoritism, swindling of taxpayers money, irresponsibility, immorality, uproar in legislative assembly and parliament. He prefers the Brits were far better than the people representatives who rob the treasury.