Haveri
In the village of Hosaritti, the Gandhi Grameen Gurukul School was established by freedom fighter Gudleppa Hallikeri in 1973. This school provides education and training in agriculture, cattle care, horticulture, and sericulture. The school was founded after Hallikeri turned 50, using Rs 1.5 lakh collected from the local community. A trust was formed under his leadership to acquire 32 acres of land for Rs 16,000.
Currently, 250 students from fifth to tenth grade attend the school, mainly from poor agricultural families in North Karnataka. In addition to core subjects, computer skills are taught, and Gandhian principles are emphasized. The state government provides food and lodging, while the trust manages other expenses.
The school has received the Mahatma Gandhi Seva award, which will be presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Bengaluru on October 2, Gandhi Jayanthi Day. The senior trustee, VU Chakki, expressed pride in the recognition. A museum titled Darshana Pradarshana will also be inaugurated to honor Hallikeri’s life. This museum will display around 300 photographs of his early life and contributions, sourced from libraries and personal collections.
The school is seeking more government funding similar to what Morarji Desai Residential Schools receive. Presently, only four out of 29 sanctioned teaching positions are filled. The remaining positions are staffed by privately funded educators. Hallikeri’s commitment to social reform and education was influenced by his time with Mahatma Gandhi at Sabarmati Ashram.
