Surendra Koulagi -- A Humanist of Melukote

In 1982 when by husband Krishnanand Kamat visited Melukote temple associated with Shri Ramanujacharya the great Vishishtadwaita saint and social reformer, he had an opportunity to visit the Koulagis, Surendra and Girija, who were running a Gurukul type of residential school for the physically challenged children. Kamat was carried off by the bouncy spirit of the youngsters who learnt to work, read, walk and play despite loss of a limb or two, under the care and affection of the Koulagis. He clicked several pictures.

Koulagis were pioneers in this field when they started this venture (1961). They are credited with providing new life to more than 200 physically handicapped children. Now with public awareness and government help, such kids have hope of rehabilitation in similar institutions.

© Vikas Kamat

Surendra and Girija Koulagi
Town of Melkote, November 2007

When we entered the premises of home office of Janapada Seva Trust (Rural Service Center) unannounced, we were warmly greeted by a smiling, comely, elderly gentleman in Khadi, with shining white hair, who introduced himself as Surendra Koulagi. Surrounded by greenery and chirping birds, the ashram vista was complete with playing kids in the distance.

Surendra Koulgi was born in Gudgeri village of Dharwad district on 28th October 1934. India's freedom struggle was at it's height and as a boy of 10, Surendra enrolled himself in Dr. N.S. Hardikar's Seva Dal. He took part in prayer sessions, morning processions (Prabhat pheris) and protest marches. He was eye-witness to several police-atrocities and vowed to fight social evils and injustice at a very young age.

In the year 1954, he came in close contact with the great socialist leader Jayaprakash Narayan (J.P.) who was then closely associated with Vinoba Bhave who in turn was involved in "Bhoodan" movement. This movement was aimed at providing land to the landless. By pleading the rich landlords and public, land was obtained as donation and was distributed to the poor. Koulagi became secretary of J.P. and worked with him for five years. He then settled down in Melukote village in Mandya district of Karnataka and started Janapada Seva Trust (1959-60) and started working for the under-privileged.

Besides training the physically challenged, The trust aimed at rehabilitation of destitute women by providing them employment in spinning weaving, gardening and other handicrafts.

With changing times and need of the hour in mind Koulgi has taken up organic manure farming in which his eldest son is helping him whole-heartedly. They have agriculture and forestry in their small holdings, over years. Koulgi edits a monthly magazine in Kannada 'Janapada Vichara' which provides new interpretations on community living in which Gandhiji experimented nearly a century ago. He continues to help self-supporting rural groups and provides schooling where government help is not forthcoming. Sarvodaya (welfare of all) which Gandhiji declared and Vinobaji attempted is alive and kicking in the remote area of Melukote where the Koulagi couple are giving concrete shape with their two sons and their families in their own humble way.