It was a cold day in October 2024 and H.K. Patil, minister and head of the committee on centenary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi’s visit to Belagavi was scheduled to hold a meeting in the city.
Mr. Patil planned to visit Veera Soudha, a memorial on Khanapur road, the venue of the 1924 Congress session chaired by Gandhiji as well as the Khadi unit in Hudali, where Gandhiji stayed for a few days, and meet the committee members.
The district administration officers in Belagavi were preparing for the meeting, and those in charge wanted to send a car to the house of Rajendra Kalaghatagi — freedom fighter, Gandhian and a committee member. When they called his home to find out the convenient time, they were told that he had already left on his scooter. They were surprised, as they never expected a 104-year-old man to travel to the government guest house all by himself, let alone riding a scooter.
But it is among the routine tasks Mr. Kalaghatagi engages in. He remains healthy and active at 105. He continues to inspire young people with his practice of yoga asanas and pranayama. He has been practising yoga postures and breathing exercises for over five decades now. He took up yoga after a doctor in Bengaluru suggested asanas and breathing exercises as a long term cure for his asthma.
