Karnataka's Minister for Kannada and Culture, Shivaraj Tangadagi, alongside HM Revanna, Chairperson of the Karnataka Guarantee Schemes Implementation Authority, conducted an inspection visit to the Krantiveer Sangolli Rayanna museum, also known as Veerabhoomi, in Nandagad on Friday. The purpose was to review the progress of the ongoing development works at the historic site.
Inauguration Timeline and Museum Vision
Addressing the media after the visit, Minister Tangadagi revealed that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is expected to inaugurate the museum on or after January 19. He emphasized that the museum was constructed with the core objective of educating people about the profound patriotism of Sangolli Rayanna, who was hanged at that very location by the British after sacrificing his life for the nation.
Tangadagi stated that the construction of the Sangolli Rayanna Museum is nearly finished. The remaining tasks primarily involve cleaning the adjacent lake and installing statues of Rayanna's close companions. He stressed the importance of maintaining quality standards and completing all pending works within the stipulated deadlines.
Comprehensive Facilities for Visitors
The minister outlined the wide array of facilities and works that have been undertaken at the site. These include:
- Construction of the main museum building.
- Installation of hologram viewing systems and statues.
- Development of caves, Kavala Hill, and a dimension cinema.
- Setup for event images, loudspeakers, and lighting.
- Creation of infrastructure like roads, parks, and cafeterias.
- Provision for vehicle parking, toilets, and compound wall.
He added that, considering the demand from tourists, plans are in place to open the museum swiftly without causing them any inconvenience. The museum has been built at an estimated cost of Rs 75 crore. In a move to encourage educational visits, Tangadagi announced that school and college students will be offered concessional admission rates.
A Tribute to a Local Hero
HM Revanna, speaking on the occasion, highlighted the significance of Nandagad as the birthplace of Sangolli Rayanna. He noted that the museum, featuring statues that depict the life story of the freedom fighter, was appropriately established here to honour his legacy. Revanna expressed confidence that the museum would attract a large number of visitors in the future, serving as a major cultural and historical landmark.
The review visit was attended by several key officials, including Khanapur MLA Vitthal Halagekar, Sangolli Rayanna Development Authority Commissioner R Shalini, Probationary IAS Officer Abhinav Jain, Kannada & Culture Department Deputy Director Vidyavati Bhajantri, ZP Planning Director Ravi Bangarappanavar, and various other district-level officers.
