Reply Speech after the book Release

 Address of Dr.Basavaraj N Akki after the release of Malayalam translation of the Pictorial Narrative of Mahatma Gandhi’s Presidential Debut by Shri P.Harindranath 

Dr.Basavaraj Akki's reply speech 

At the outset I am grateful to the organisers for extending an invitation to take part in the August gathering GANDHI FEST  in Vadakara .

 The Book written by Dr. Siby K. Joseph and myself was translated into Malayalam and released before this August gathering of Gandhi  Fest. The 1924 Session (39th) of the Indian National Congress was held at Belguam was an important event for two reasons. It was the only session held in Karnataka and the only session presided over by MAHATMA GANDHI. The session was succeeded in attracting the Kannadigas towards the freedom movement. Because of political reasons , the Kannada speaking area was divided among different administrative units, like British territories, princely states, Nizam province and Marathas.

Book Jacket 

Among them half of the State was under Odeyars of Mysore which was the second advanced Princely State next to Travancore-Cochin. So the freedom struggle was not active until 1920. It was very difficult in Nizam territory to start the movement against the British. Inspite of all the hurdles the movement was great success under the influence of leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Mahatma Gandhi. Few educated youths of Bombay Karnataka emerged as leaders and they played an important role in organising the 39 Session of 1924 in Belgaum. It brought the emergence of regional leaders in the freedom struggle.

This the Pictorial Book on 1924 session was the brain child of Dr. Siby K. Jospeh. I visited the Jamnalal Bajaj Memorial Library and Research Centre of Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan Wardha to consult records for my Research Project. I was there for a week. During the course of my interaction on the topic Dr. Siby Jospeh provided me the Proceedings of the 1924 Session of the Congress from the Library archives and made up the mind to bring out a Pictorial Book. As a result of the English Version of the Book was published just before the Centenary Celebration of the Session and the organisers purchased 400 copies to present the book to the dignitaries. The enormous response and appreciation for the book encouraged us to bring out the Book in Kannada, Hindi and later on Shri P. Harindranath took the responsibility to translate the book in Malayalam and the noted publishing house Mathrubhumi Books took the responsibility for its publication. 

Dr.Basavaraj Akki with Prof.M.N.Karasseri and Translator of the book Shri P.Harindranath 

So I am extremely grateful to Shri P.Harindranath for his commendable work and Dr. Siby Joseph for his hard work behind this project of Library and Research Centre of Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan  , Wardha .

I convey my whole hearted thanks to the organisers and to you all .

Thank You.

Dr. Basavaraj N. Akki

Prof. of History (Retd)

Dharwad

October 4 , 2025

Gandhi Fest ,Vadakara 

About the Authors and Translator 

Appreciation about the book

Prof.John S.Moolakattu

This illustrated account of the Belagavi session, written and compiled by Siby K. Joseph and Basavaraj N. Akki, is a very useful and timely publication in the event’s centenary year. It is often said that a picture is more valuable than a thousand words since visual information is easier for our brains to process and comprehend. This pictorial narration allows us to see how carefully the event was organized. It gives the reader important glimpses into Karnataka’s role in the national movement, and will be very valuable to the students. The authors need to be commended for undertaking this work with passion and devotion.

John S Moolakkattu, Chief Editor, Gandhi Marg, Journal of Gandhi Peace Foundation, New Delhi