This Karnataka village sets example for water conservation

Agencies
June 5, 2019

Shivamogga, Jun 5: Amidst the scorching heat and delayed monsoon across the country, residents of the Vitagondana Koppa village in Shivamogga district are living happily with sufficient drinking water and are easily able to meet the requirements of their livestock.

The Vitagondana Koppa village situated near Ayanuru town is an inspiration to many neighbouring villagers. With the help of government assistance and crowd-funding, the villagers have rejuvenated a water tank called Hulikere.

The tank helps to keep groundwater stable and recharges the borewells. With its expanse reaching to over five acres, it is the biggest tank of its kind near the Shivamogga city.

A retired accountant from the village, Shivanadappa, deposited three lakh rupees from his pension to get approval for the tank restoration under the government scheme 'JalaSamvardhane' in 2011 and the tank till date has prevented the village from facing the water crisis.

"In 2011 there was a World Bank-assisted 'Jalasamvardhane' scheme which provided grants for rejuvenating traditional water bodies to keep the village green. At that time no villager had any interest in approaching the government. We just had to deposit three and a half lakh rupees to get the project sanctioned."

"I had recently retired and had around three lakh rupees with me, I came forward to save our tank and soon everybody joined. The tank has now been handed over by the government to the village for preserving water, we take care of it together. More people joined in, now the tank fulfills everybody's needs. I have never seen a drought in my village and surrounding villages because this tank helps to recharge the groundwater level," Shivandappa told ANI.

Rohith, a farmer requested the government to treat tanks and other modes of water conservation as a priority.

"In the old days, every village had a tank, today a lot of tanks have been destroyed or have been encroached upon. The tank is in itself an ecological system which should get priority by government to tackle the drought conditions," Rohith said.

At a time when the water crisis is deepening year by year, the example set by Vitagondana Koppa village is an excellent case study to improve the situation in the days to come.

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Media Release
March 11,2020

Mangalore, Mar 11: There everybody busy in hailing ‘Padmashree’ Harekala Hajabba. They wondered how an orange seller turned into an educationist with his grit and high objectives. However, the center of attraction- Harekala Hajabba was thinking how to transfer a cheque of rupees one lakh to a current account of his school!

Dakshina Kannada District Kannada and Culture Department had an interaction program with Harekala Hajabba at Ravindra Kalabhavana of University College Mangaluru on Wednesday. The department, as well as Dakshina Kannada District Bus Owners’ Association felicitated the achiever. They also honored Hajabba with a cash of rupees one lakh. Instantly, the man decided to utilize the amount for his school! 

In his address, Guruvappa N T Balepuni, who introduced Harekala Hajabba to society opined that with his simplicity, humbleness, moreover his service without any expectation, Hajabba is being respected everywhere. Though he is an illiterate, three universities have made his life as lessons for students. “He has kept around Rs 50-55 lakh, including his award money for the development of school. January 25, the day on which ‘Padmashree’ award has been declared to Hajabba is a memorable day for me too,” he added. 

Dakshina Kannada District Bus Owners’ Association President Dinram Alva and former president Jayaram Shekha opined that there is lot to learn from Hajabba and he is a model for the society. Recalling his old- harsher days, Hajabba said, “Parents should make mind to save government schools. A literate can achieve anything, he can lead the society,” he said and called upon for the communal harmony. 

Presiding over the function, Principal Dr. Uday Kumar M A said that Harekala Hajabba is best example how a pure-hearted man achieves any height, simplicity can make someone so rich. In his welcome speech District Kannada and Culture Department Deputy director Rajesh G, depicted Hajabba as ‘modern time Mahatma Gandhi’. Economics PG Coordinator Dr. Jayavantha Nayak and M.Com Coordinator Dr. Abobakkar Siddiq were present on the occasion.

 

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coastaldigest.com news network
June 6,2020

Chikkamagaluru, June 6: The Chikkamagaluru district has become free from confirmed cases of COVID-19.

The last two of the 16 covid patients in the district were discharged today after they were treated and tested negative.

P 2765, a 28-year-old man and P 2766, a 38-year-old man were discharged, said Deputy Commissioner Dr Bagadi Gautham. Nine others were discharged from hospital yesterday.

Till May 22, Chikkamagaluru district had not recorded any positive and had remained a green zone till then.

However, with the influx of stranded people from Maharashtra and Delhi, the district had registered 16 covid positive cases.

 “As on today, there are no active covid-19 cases in the district. However, we should be attentive and take all the precautionary measurers,” the DC said.

The officer has appealed to the public to maintain social distancing in public places and wear masks.

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Expat
 - 
Sunday, 7 Jun 2020

Chikkamagaluru has been polluted by the outside people. Homestay business has killed the beauty and simplicity of Chilkamagaluru

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News Network
April 16,2020

Bengaluru, Apr 16: Former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy had said that his son Nikhil's marriage ceremony will take place at bride Revati's residence in Bengaluru, however, the wedding preparations are also going on in his farmhouse at Ramnagar.

This comes amid the lockdown in the country due to COVID-19 outbreak. The farmhouse is located at Kethaganahally, near Bidadi in Ramnagar.

Kumaraswamy has said the marriage will be simple and only his family members will attend and no one from outside would be invited.

Earlier Kumaraswamy has said that his son's marriage will take place on April 17 at bride house.

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