For six decades, a small double-storeyed community hall — Buddha Bhavan — has been at the heart of development of the community at Kumarpalli.
Kumarpalli, a SC habitation, was high in illiteracy, steeped in superstitions, and most residents were addicted to alcohol. Over six decades it has now become the home to over 200 non-gazetted officers, 25 doctors, 40 engineers, and several other professionals working across the State.
At the heart of the transformation was the small community hall, Bhudha Bhavan, built by the then youngsters led by B.R. Bhagwan Das. It has changed the fate of many families and lives of the youth.
Celebrations begin
The entire political and official machinery in the district would be spending most of their time at the three-day celebration that began on Friday to mark the 60 years of setting up the community hall.
Participating in the celebrations on Saturday, Collector K. Amrapali said the life and teachings of Mahatma Gandhi and B.R. Ambedkar are still relevant and people should strive to follow them. “We should feel fortunate for having been born in the country of Mahatma Gandhi and B.R. Ambedkar,” she added.
Social commitment
Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and B.R. Ambedkar, Mr. Das and his friends built the community hall in 1956. It was to be inaugurated by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar but he could not make it due to ill health.
A resident and noted doctor, B. Raj Sidharth, recalled that alcoholism was rampant back then.
Mr. Das mobilised people and organised bhajans and slowly turned them away from alcoholism. Later, he ensured that every child in the colony is enrolled into school. He organised several mass movements and helped the poor secure employment.
Mr. Das went on to become a popular trade union leader. The veteran Communist Party of India leader died at the age of 73 in 2003.
Visible transformation
Another resident, V Ramachander, 65, recalled that the colony was notorious during pre-Independence era and the early post-Independence period. There was none to guide the residents of the community and they were all illiterate. “Inspired by Gandhiji and B.R. Ambedkar, Mr. Das and his friends gave up their jobs and started organising people,” he recalled.
Now the colony boasts of over 200 non-gazetted officers, 25 doctors, 40 engineers, and several other professionals. They have reached home to exchange notes and share their fond memories of their childhood in Kumarpalli and participate in the celebration.
