Chikmagalur, October 3, 2025 : Brigade Foundation, the CSR arm of Brigade Group, today inaugurated ‘Freedom Fighters Memorial’, a landmark tribute to India’s freedom struggle and the countless martyrs who laid down their lives for the nation’s independence. Located at Hosamane Circle, a prominent junction in Chikmagalur, this one-of-a-kind memorial that stands as a timeless symbol of sacrifice, resilience, and national pride, this memorial is designed to inspire young minds. Shri K J George, Hon’ble Minister for Energy and District In-charge Minister for Chikmagalur, Government of Karnataka, inaugurated the memorial in the presence of several other government dignitaries.
Speaking at the inauguration Chief Guest of the event, Shri K J George, Hon’ble Minister for Energy and District In-charge Minister for Chikmagalur, Government of Karnataka said, “By creating this installation in honour of freedom fighters, Brigade Foundation have created a new landmark in Chickmagalur. Being strategically located near a school, this memorial will serve as an inspiration to young students.”
In his address, M. R. Jaishankar, Chairperson of Brigade Foundation and Chairman of Brigade Group, said, “Our freedom struggle was built on the ideals of courage, unity, sacrifice, and above all, hope. Father of the Nation – Mahatma Gandhi once said, ‘The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others’. The men and women of our freedom movement embodied this spirit – they placed the nation above self. This memorial is our humble way of ensuring that these values remain alive for generations to come. When people, particularly the younger generation walk through these gates, we want them to pause, reflect, and get inspired.”
On entering the memorial, visitors ascend a series of stone steps leading to a striking mural of Mahatma Gandhi in his iconic spinning-wheel pose, surrounded by vertical follies, some adorned with golden-yellow stone panels that narrate the stories of India’s freedom fighters and evoke the independent future they envisioned. The vertical stone etches feature prominent freedom fighters, including Rani Abbakka Chowta, Kittur Rani Chennama, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Dr. B R Ambedkar, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhai Patil, Subhash Chandra Bose, Mangal Pandey, Bhagat Singh, Chandra Shekar Azad, Rani Lakshmi Bai, Nana Saheb, Dadabhai Naoroji, Vinayak D Sarvarkar, and Kadilal Manjappa.
Speaking at the inauguration, Sanjay Mohe, architect, said, “Through this memorial, we are portraying the immense struggle that the freedom fighters underwent and have used rough stone to depict this. We believe that as people walk through the memorial, they will be inspired by the aura that the place resonates with. The location of the memorial is such that the past is depicted in the form of the memorial and the future on the other side in the form of the neighbouring school.”
The memorial is the perfect place for citizens to pause, reflect, and engage with the legacy of India’s freedom movement, not as history, but as a continuing call to action. It embodies Brigade Foundation’s commitment to civic engagement, cultural preservation, and nation-building. Brigade Foundation has also set up a coffee shop under the brand Hatti Kaapi for visitors to refresh themselves with light snacks and beverages.
The inauguration ceremony was also graced by distinguished dignitaries, including Chief Guest, Shri K J George, Hon’ble Minister for Energy and District In-charge Minister for Chikmagalur, Government of Karnataka, Guests of Honour included Shri Kota Srinivas Poojary, Hon’ble Member of Legislative Council, Shri H D Thammaiah, Member of Legislative Assembly, Chikmagalur, Shri C T Ravi, National General Secretary, BJP, Smt. Meena Nagaraj C N, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Chikmagalur District, Dr. Vikram Amitabh, IPS, Superintendent of Police, Chikmagalur District and Shri Sandeep Kumar, President, CMC Council.