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Ambembala Balappa

Ambembala Balappa was born in a remote village in Devasya of Bantwal Taluk in Dakshina Kannada district(Tulunad or Canara) now in Karntaka. To a potter’s family on February 23, 1922.He could not continue his education beyond first standard because of casteism, but Balappa managed to speak and read English while being employed by a British officer.

Dr Balappa remained unmarried.He was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and jumped into the freedom struggle during the Quit India struggle in 1942. He was 20 years old then. Balappa was sent to Vellore jail after he was found to have planted crude bombs at the court complex and at Light House Hill Road. While in jail, he met former prime minister P V Narasimha Rao who was also imprisoned and was in the same ward. Their friendship led Balappa to learn Hindi. He also came to know Jawaharlal Nehru and Jayaprakash Narayan.His prowess in Hindi helped him get in touch with Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Jayaprakash Narayan.Among his many followers was former union minister George Fernandes.

He played a key role in drafting the declaration of land policy (Land Reforms Act) by the Devraj Urs government during the then prime minister Indira Gandhi's tenure.

Proficient in Tulu, Konkani, English, Kannada and Hindi languages, he worked as a Hindi teacher in Karkala during Unification movement.

He was also a social activist who took part in several revolutionary movements and had strived for the education of backward communities.

He also holds the distinction of starting the first Tulu newspaper 'Tulu Siri' in 1970.

He started Samaja Seva Sahakari Bankniyamith, Bantwal on 14-05-1981.This bank was started with only 131 members with a share capital of INR 22.620.00 /-.For 25 years, he served as the president of Seva Sahakari Bank in Bantwal.

In 1989, he rejected offer from JD(S) to contest from Bantwal constituency. Dr Ammembala Balappa passed away in a hospital here on Thursday 15 May 2014. He was 93.