Bharathiya Swathantrya Horatagarara Nenapina Saksharatha and Charitable Trust was formeded under the leadership of C M Poonacha 15 years ago. Later, freedom fighter Mallengada Changappa was elected as the president of the Trust.
The work on the memorial started in the heart of the town 11 years ago. The committee included freedom fighters like Chakkera Monnaiah, Kakamada Nanaiah, Kollimada Mandanna, Jilla Parishat former president Jammada Karumbaiah and C P Belliappa.
When the building was half complete, Kollimada Mandanna passed away followed by Mallengada Changappa, Monnaiah, Kakamada Nanaiah. Hence, the dream of completing the memorial never realised.
Now C P Belliappa, K M Ayyappa, J A Karumbaiah, A C Poonacha, C P Somaiah, M G Kuttappa are in the committee and are trying their level best to complete the memorial.
The department of Kannada and Culture has released Rs 12.50 lakh, MP Vishwanath—Rs 3 lakh, former MP Prema Kariappa—Rs one lakh so far. The remaining funds were raised through donors.
The freedom fighters wanted to have a library in one part of the memorial. A sum of Rs 30 lakh is required for electricity, water connection, chairs, compound wall and other works, says Memorial Construction Committee convener K M Ajith Ayyappa.
The memorial has a stage and a hall, which can accommodate 600 persons at a time.
As the roof of the building is raised, there will not be much problem of echoing. The memorial is awaiting funds from donors for its completion. MLC M C Nanaiah has promised to provide funds from his MLC grant for the memorial, he added.