Replica of Gandhi’s Sabarmati Ashram comes up in Gadag

GADAG: People of North Karnataka need not travel all the way to Gujarat to have a glimpse of Sabarmati Ashram, one of residences of Mahatma Gandhi, in Ahmedabad. Now they can see the Ashram in their own backyard as its replica is set up on the premises of Karnataka State Rural Development and Panchayat Raj University (KSRDPU) in Gadag.
Vice chancellor professor Vishnukant S Chatpalli told TOI that the construction of the replica started in December 2019.“Before this, our team visited Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad and studied all requirements for the replica. As the ashram was the place which inspired Gandhi to take many historical movements like Dandi March, we wanted to have it in our premises. Our varsity has come up on Mahatma Gandhi’s two ideals - rural development and decentralised administration. We used local artisans and labourers for the construction,” he said.
He further said, “The replica is set up at the landscape area of about 16,000 square feet and plot area of about 15,000 square feet. It was supposed to be opened earlier but work was delayed due to the lockdown. Now the shell is ready with a Gandhi statue, 100 biographic photo frames in Kannada and English, 50 important quotes of Gandhi and 11 principles on which Gandhi postulated are depicted in the Ashram.”
“This apart, visuals, audio and videos are ready to enthral visitors. The library is already equipped with 500 books to help researchers. Rooms on Kasturba, skill-based education, education for women and skill development for cottage industries are also set up. We will extend activities in coming days,” he added.
KSRDPU finance officer Prashantha JC said the replica has come up at a cost of Rs. 70 lakh and it is a must visit place for both students and the general public.
Nalini Kembhavi, an architect from Hubballi, said it was a difficult task to build the replica. “Rather than setting up an identical building, our task was to bring the soul of the building. There was the challenge of using currently available materials while retaining simplicity, the main assets of Gandhi,” she said.