Mahatma Gandhi's Abandoned Navalihal House Sparks Urgent Call for Preservation
In the heart of Karnataka's Chikodi taluk, the village of Navalihal holds a forgotten piece of India's freedom struggle history. The house where Mahatma Gandhi stayed during his visit on March 7-8, 1934, has been left abandoned and is now on the verge of collapse, despite many other sites associated with him being preserved as memorials across the country.
Historical Significance of Gandhi's Visit
Gandhiji's visit to Navalihal was part of the Harijan Uddhar and Gramoddhar movements, aimed at social reform and village upliftment. He spent two days in the village, staying at the residence of Akshay Chand Gujjar, a local businessman. To commemorate his visit, Gandhiji planted a sapling, and a well was constructed nearby through community donations to provide drinking water, which residents still refer to as 'Gandhi Bavi'.
Additionally, in collaboration with Rajaram Maharaj of Kolhapur, Gandhiji initiated the 'Mission Hospital' in the same village, with the noble goal of offering free health services to the impoverished. This hospital building, along with the well and the house where Gandhiji stayed, now faces severe deterioration, threatening to erase these historical landmarks.
Villagers' Plea for Government Intervention
Local residents, led by Sachin Hukkeri, the president of the gram panchayat, have passionately appealed to the state government to declare the dilapidated house a memorial. They emphasize the need to preserve its historical importance and have proposed installing an information plaque detailing Gandhiji's visit to educate future generations.
Rekha Mehta, the current owner of the house, has expressed willingness to cooperate, stating that her family would be delighted if the Gandhi memorial is renovated. They are prepared to relinquish the land in exchange for reasonable compensation, facilitating potential restoration efforts.
Challenges in Restoration Efforts
However, restoration faces significant hurdles. Rajesh Burli, the tahsildar of Chikodi, highlighted that since the property is privately owned, prompt action cannot be guaranteed. He noted that if the land is transferred to the panchayat, a detailed restoration plan report could be prepared and submitted to the government for approval, paving the way for conservation.
Amidst this neglect, a short story titled 'Gandhiji in Our Village', authored by Vishwanath Dhumal, a teacher from Navalihal, serves as a poignant reminder. It chronicles the details of Gandhiji's visit, offering some solace by preserving the memory in literature, even as the physical structures decay.
The situation underscores a broader issue of preserving historical sites linked to India's freedom movement. As villagers rally for action, the fate of this significant location hangs in the balance, calling for urgent attention from authorities to honor Gandhiji's legacy and safeguard cultural heritage for posterity.
