Kittur Rani Chennamma's 202nd Vijayotsava Held in Parliament

The birth anniversary of Kittur Rani Chennamma and her 202nd Victory Celebration, the Vijayotsava that marks her win over the British, were observed at Prerana Sthal in the Parliament premises in New Delhi. The function was led by V. Somanna, Union Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti and Member of Parliament from Tumakuru.

Who attended

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil took part in the ceremony. Among the others present were Members of Parliament P.C. Mohan and Dr Sudhakar, former ministers Murugesh Nirani and Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, and Shankargouda Patil, who earlier served as Karnataka's Special Representative in New Delhi. Seers including Basava Mrutyunjaya Swamiji of Kudalasangama, Shankarananda Swamiji, Atmaram Swamiji of Shri Gurudeva Ashrama at Kakkamari and Vinayak Swamiji of Shri Siddharoodha Matha at Chalakapura were present, along with a large gathering of Kannadigas from districts of Karnataka and from Delhi, who offered floral tributes to the queen.

What was said

Addressing the gathering, Somanna greeted the country on the birth anniversary of the brave queen of Kittur, whom he called the nation's unparalleled woman warrior, and on the 202nd celebration of her victory against the British. He said she was not merely a queen who fought a war; she had challenged an imperial power and stood in history as an immortal symbol of resistance. The valour, courage and fire of Veera Vanithe Rani Chennamma, he said, remain an inspiration at this sacred place of the Indian Parliament for those who defend the country today, and he appealed to people to gather at the site every year to remember such figures.

Thanks and the annual event

The Minister thanked the Prime Minister on behalf of the people of the State for permitting the programme every year, and thanked the Lok Sabha Speaker, officials of the Lok Sabha and the Ministry of Railways, and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for the permission and the cooperation. Basava Mrutyunjaya Swamiji welcomed the fact that the event is now organised every year at Prerana Sthal inside Parliament.

Exam pointers

• The queen: Kittur Rani Chennamma, called Veera Vanithe, who fought the British.
• The occasion: her birth anniversary and the 202nd Vijayotsava, or Victory Celebration.
• The venue: Prerana Sthal, Parliament premises, New Delhi.
• Organised under: V. Somanna, Union MoS for Railways and Jal Shakti, MP from Tumakuru.