Founder V.V. Sangha

Memoir of Distinguished Philanthropist Donor -

Sri.Togari Veerappa was born in 1866 at Mudhol of Yelaburga Taluk of Koppal District of the Hyderabad-Karnataka region. He was adopted by Sri.Togari Shankarappa of Ballari. He worked in the Sindagi’s shop at Ballari. Later on he was forced to shoulder the responsibility of the business due to untimely demise of Sri. Togari Shankarappa. To overcome the financial difficulties of the family, he constructed the “Sindagi Shopping Complex” near Brucepet Police Station of Ballari. The concept of shopping complex constructed a century ago remains as a staunch reality for his vision and acumen of Sri. Togari Veerappa.

During those days, it was inevitable for the people of Ballari to learn Telugu and to protect the Kannadigas, he initiated the step along with other luminaries to start the then “Madras Veerashaiva Sangha” in 1916. At that time, their houses became the hostels for outstations students pursuing education. Many people worked as Teachers by side lining their business to overcome financial crisis of Sangha. He constructed free boarding and lodging for the poor students above his shop only. Later on, due to scarcity of space, he constructed a hostel by purchasing a site in Gandhinagar for 18 to 20 thousand rupees in 1918. Afterwards, it was donated to V.V.Sangha in 1921.

It was known as Togari Veerappa’s Hostel at that time. Some of the great scholars, administrators, social reformers who were brought up in the hostel are Pandit Y.Nagesh Shastri, Kappagal Prabhu Swamiji, K.O. Channabasappa (Retired District Judge), I.Basavaraj (Retired District Judge), Kurugodu Rajasekhar Goudru, a philanthropist, Sri.Bellad Channappanavarau of Chitwadigi - Hosapete and other top notch personalities.

Sri Togari Veerappa’s efforts also resulted in the construction of Hostel at A.D.B. College, Harapanahalli. He rendered his yeoman services for the construction of Hostel at Ballari, presently turned into a Kittur Rani Channamma High School.

His memorable services in the V.V. Sangha in various capacities are 1917-18 as a Vice-President, 1919-21 as a Joint Secretary, 1922-31 as a President, 1931-35 as a Treasurer.

On 06.05.1935 during British regime, on account of Silver Jubilee Celebrations of George-V, Sri. Togari Veerappa was conferred medal as “Legend of National Service”.

In recognition of his service, the seer of Sri Kedar Peetha has blessed and awarded him as “Vidyapravardhaka”. Sri.Togari Veerappa used to pay surprise visit to the hostel and used to check the quality of food being supplied to inmates. This reflects the concern for the wellbeing of the students. With his sincere commitment and conviction, he dedicated the rest of his life for the cause of development of education and had his last breath on 5th April, 1944.