ಜಾತ್ಯಾತೀತ ಸಮೀಕ್ಷೆ ನಡೆಸಿ, ಜಾತಿವಾರು ಸಮೀಕ್ಷೆ ನಿಲ್ಲಿಸಿ!

a) ಮೂರು ದಿನಗಳ ಹಿಂದೆ ಒಂದು ಆಟೋ ಅನೌನ್ಸ್ಮೆಂಟ್  ಚಿಂತಾಮಣಿಯೆಲ್ಲಾ ನಡೆಯಿತು. ಆ ಧ್ವನಿ ವರ್ಧಕಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಜನರಿಗೆ ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಕೈಗೊಂಡಿರುವ ಜಾತಿವಾರು ಸಮೀಕ್ಷೆಯ ವಿಷಯ ಸಾರುತ್ತಿತ್ತು. ಜಾತಿಗಳ ಹೆಸರುಗಳನ್ನು ಹೇಳುತ್ತ ಅದರ ಕ್ರಮಸಂಖ್ಯೆ ಮತ್ತು code ನ ವಿವರಣೆ ಕೊಡುತ್ತ ಊರೆಲ್ಲ ಸಾಗಿತು. ಆ ಜಾತಿ ಆ ನಂಬರ್, ಈ ಜಾತಿ ಈ ನಂಬರ್, ಮತ್ತೊಂದ್ ಜಾತಿ ಮತ್ತೊಂದ್ ನಂಬರ್!

b) ಸಾಮಾಜಿಕ ತಾಣ Facebook ನಲ್ಲಿ ಕೆಲವರು ತಮ್ಮ ಜಾತಿಯ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ವಿವರಿಸುತ್ತ ತಮ್ಮ ಜಾತಿಯ code ಬಗ್ಗೆ ತಿಳುವಳಿಕೆ ನೀಡುತ್ತ ಆ ಜಾತಿಯ ಜನರೆಲ್ಲಾ ಅದೇ code ಆಯ್ದುಕೊಳ್ಳಬೇಕೆಂದು ಬಿನ್ನಹಗಳನ್ನು ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ.

c) ಇನ್ನು ಕೆಲವು ಜಾತಿಗಳ ಸಂಘಗಳು ಸಭೆ ಕರೆದು ಸದಸ್ಯರೆಲ್ಲರೂ  ಸರಿಯಾದ code ಗಳಲ್ಲೇ ತಮ್ಮ ಜಾತಿಯ ಹೆಸರನ್ನು ನೊಂದಾಯಿಸಬೇಕೆಂದು ಕರೆ ಕೊಟ್ಟಿದ್ದಾರೆ.

ಅಸಹ್ಯ ಹುಟ್ಟಿಸುವಂತಹ ಬೆಳವಣಿಗೆ!! 

ಇನ್ನೂ ಸೆನ್ಸಸ್ ಶುರುವಾಗುವ ಮುನ್ನವೇ ಸಮಾಜವು ವಿಭಜನೆಯ ಕಡೆ ಮುಖ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿದೆ. ಸಮಾಜವನ್ನು ಕದಡುವ ವಿಷವಾಗಿ ಪರಿಣಮಿಸುತ್ತಿದೆ ಈ ಸೆನ್ಸಸ್ .  ಈ ಜಾತಿವಾರು ಸಮೀಕ್ಷೆ ಬೇಕಿತ್ತೆ ನಮಗೀಗ?

ಈ ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ಪ್ರತಿನಿಧಿಗಳು " ನೂರು ಕೋಠಿ ವೆಚ್ಚದಲ್ಲಿ ತಾವು ಕೈಗೆತ್ತಿಕೊಂಡಿರುವ ಜಾತಿವಾರು ಸಮೀಕ್ಷೆ ಹಿಂದೆಂದೂ ನಡೆದಿಲ್ಲ,  1931 ರಲ್ಲಿ ಬ್ರಿಟೀಷರ ಆಡಳಿತದಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆದಿದ್ದು ಬಿಟ್ಟರೆ ನಮ್ಮ ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ನೇತೃತ್ವದಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆಯುತ್ತಿದೆ" ಎನ್ನುತ್ತಾ ಹೆಮ್ಮೆಯಿಂದ ಬೀಗುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ.  1931ರ ಆ ಸಮೀಕ್ಷೆ ಭಾರತವನ್ನು ವಿಭಜಿಸುವ ಕುತಂತ್ರದಿಂದಲೇ ಮಾಡಿದ್ದು ಎಂಬ ಅರಿವು ಈ ಪ್ರತಿನಿಧಿಗಳಿಗಿಲ್ಲವೆ?  1930ರಲ್ಲಿ ಗಾಂಧೀಜಿಯವರು Civil Disobedience Movement ಗೆ ಚಾಲನೆ ನೀಡಿದ್ದರು, ನಂತರ ಜೈಲಿಗೂ ಹೋಗಬೇಕಾಯಿತು. ಭಾರತದಲ್ಲಿ ಉತ್ಪತ್ತಿಯಾಗುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ಕಂದಾಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಅರ್ಧಕ್ಕೂ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿನ ಮೊತ್ತವು ಲಂಡನ್ ನ ಬ್ರಿಟಿಶ್ ಸರ್ಕಾರಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋಗುತ್ತಿತ್ತು. ಇದಕ್ಕೆ ಧಕ್ಕೆಯಾಗುವ ಭಯ ನಮ್ಮನ್ನಾಳುವವರಿಗೆ ಕಾಡಿತ್ತು. ಭಾರತದಲ್ಲಿ ಇಂಗ್ಲಿಷರ ವಿರೋಧಿ ಚಟುವಟಿಕೆ ಹಿಂದೆಂದಿಗಿಂತಲೂ ತಿವ್ರವಾಗಿತ್ತು. ಸ್ವಾತಂತ್ರದ ಕೂಗು ತಾರಕಕ್ಕೇರಿತ್ತು. ಇದನ್ನು ಹತ್ತಿಕ್ಕಲು ಬ್ರಿಟೀಷರು ಎಲ್ಲ ಪ್ರಯತ್ನಗಳನ್ನು ಮಾಡಿದರು. ಪರಿಣಾಮವಾಗಿ 1931 ರಲ್ಲಿ ಚಂದ್ರಶೇಖರ್ ಆಜಾದ್  ರನ್ನು ಎನ್ಕೌಂಟರ್ ನಲ್ಲಿ ಹತ್ಯೆ ಮಾಡಿದರು. ಸ್ವತಂತ್ರ ಹೋರಾಟಗಾರರಾದ ಭಗತ್ ಸಿಂಗ್, ರಾಜ್ಗುರು ಮತ್ತು ಸುಖ್ದೇವ್ ರನ್ನು ಗಲ್ಲುಗೇರಿಸಲಾಯಿತು. Divide and Rule ಎಂಬ ತಂತ್ರವನ್ನೇ ಇಟ್ಟುಕೊಂಡು ಬಂದ ಬ್ರಿಟಿಷರು 1931 ರಲ್ಲಿ ಜಾತಿವಾರು ಸಮೀಕ್ಷೆ ಯಾವ ಸದುದ್ದೇಶಕ್ಕೆ ಮಾಡಿರಬಹುದು ನೀವೇ ಹೇಳಿ?

ಈ ಜಾತಿವಾದದ ನಿರ್ಮೂಲನೆಗೆ ಶತಮಾನಗಳಿಂದ ಅನೇಕರು ಪ್ರಯತ್ನಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಹನ್ನೆರಡನೇ ಶತಮಾನದಲ್ಲಿ ಶ್ರೀ ಬಸವಣ್ಣನವರು ಜಾತಿವಾದವನ್ನು ಖಂಡಿಸಿ ಜನರಲ್ಲಿದ್ದ್ದ ಜಾತಿ ಕುರಿತಾದ ಅಪನಂಬಿಕೆಗಳನ್ನು ಹೋಗಲಾಡಿಸಿದರು. ರಾಜಾರಾಂ ಮೋಹನ್ ರಾಯ್, ವಿದ್ಯಾಸಾಗರ್, ಅಂಬೇಡ್ಕರ್, ಗಾಂಧೀಜಿ ಮತ್ತು ಇನ್ನೂ ಅನೇಕರು ಈ ಜಾತಿವಾದ ನಮ್ಮ ದೇಶಕ್ಕೊಂದು ಶಾಪವೆಂದರಿತು ಅದರ ವಿರುದ್ದ ಸಮರ ಸಾರಿದ್ಧರು. ಆದರೆ ಕಾಲ ಕಾಲಕ್ಕೆ ಕೆಲವು ರಾಜಕೀಯ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿಗಳು ತಮ್ಮ ರಾಜಕೀಯ ಸ್ವಾರ್ಥಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ಜಾತಿವಾದವನ್ನು ಜೀವಂತವಾಗಿಡುವ ಪ್ರಯತ್ನಗಳು ನಡೆಸುತ್ತಲೇ ಇರುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಆ ಪ್ರಯತ್ನಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಇದೂ ಒಂದು.  ಮಹಾತ್ಮ ಗಾಂಧಿ ತಮ್ಮ ಪಕ್ಷದವರೇ ಎಂದು ಹೇಳಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವ ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್ ಸರ್ಕಾರವೇ ಈ ಸಮಾಜ ಘಾತುಕ ಜಾತಿವಾರು ಸಮೀಕ್ಷೆ ನಡೆಸುತ್ತಿರುವುದು ನಿಜಕ್ಕೂ ಖಂಡನೀಯ.

ಜನರಿಗೆ ಸೆನ್ಸಸ್ ಸಮಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಕೊಟ್ಟಿರುವ ಜಾತಿ ಪಟ್ಟಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಯಾವುದಾದರು ಆಯ್ಕೆ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವ ಹಕ್ಕಿದೆ ಎಂದು ಹೇಳುತ್ತಿದ್ದದ್ದಾರೆ  ಸರ್ಕಾರದವರು . ಅದನ್ನು ಯಾರು ಪರಿಸೀಲಿಸುವುದಿಲ್ಲ ಎಂದು ಹೇಳಲಾಗುತ್ತಿದೆ. ಅಂದರೆ, ಇದು fool-proof ಅಲ್ಲವೆಂದು ತಿಳಿಯುತ್ತದೆ. ಸ್ಟ್ಯಾಟಿಸ್ಟಿಕ್ಸ್ ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಏರುಪೇರಾಗುವುದರಲ್ಲಿ ಸಂದೇಹವೇ ಇಲ್ಲ, ನಿಖರವಾಗೂ ಇರುವುದಿಲ್ಲ. . ಫಲಿತಾಂಶ ಊಹಿಸಬಹುದೆಂದಾದಮೇಲೆ ಸಮೀಕ್ಷೆಯ ಉದ್ದೇಶವಾದರೂ ಏನಿರಬಹುದು? 

ಜಾತ್ಯಾತೀತ ಸಮೀಕ್ಷೆ ನಡೆಸಿ, ಜಾತಿವಾರು ಸಮೀಕ್ಷೆ ನಿಲ್ಲಿಸಿ!

'Raitha Makkala Bruhath Samavesha'-Freedom Park

"Raitha MakkaLa Bruhath Samavesha" organised by the Yuvashakti at the Freedom Park in Bangalore on March 14th, Saturday got a stupendous response from the people of Kolar-Chickaballapur and the rural districts of Bangalore. It was put-up to protest the injustice meted out to the parched districts of Chickaballapur- Kolar by the government and invoke awareness among concerned authorities and general public who have failed to look beyond the cosmopolitan Bengaluru city. The Chief Minister had announced his budget the previous day and had just allocated a very marginal amount towards studying a feasible solution for the persisting water problem under the title "Bayaluseeme Neeravari Yojaneya Adhyayanakkaagi". And the Bayaluseeme covers almost 11 districts in Karnataka according to the Bayaluseeme Development Act of 1994(link) . It is quite evident that the government has turned a blind eye on the continuous agitation that has been going on in the draught affected areas. The 'Shashvata Neeravari Horata Samiti' Activists, the farmers, businessmen, IT professionals and self employed doctors, engineers and advocates flocked in hoards at the Freedom Park, and finally there was a sea of people raising their voice demanding a permanent solution for their water woes. They dared the scorching morning sun and demanded for their right in unison. Their blazing adrenaline was clearly evident from their intense faces. Everyone stood-up when Sri. Munireddy sang the farmer song "ಉಳುವ ಯೋಗಿಯ ನೋಡಲ್ಲಿ (link) " written by Shri. Kuvempu. He also sang couple of other songs relating to the farmer's issues.When Mr Shivaprakash Reddy welcomed them to the meet crying out "ನಮ್ಮ ರಕ್ತವನ್ನು ಚೆಲ್ಲುತ್ತೇವೆ , ನೀರನ್ನು ಪಡೆಯುತ್ತೇವೆ " the crowd raised in frenzy with anger for the injustice meted out to them by the successive governments. Mr Vijaykumar Reddy convened the program by calling out the speakers on to the stage and also managed the task of pacifying the frenzy crowd in-between.

When there were over sixty thousand people assembled at the agitation venue, how could our politicos stay far away! The politicians,  mostly the MLAs, MP, MLC and a former Deputy-CM,  made a beeline to the Freedom Park to show their solidarity 'at this moment'. In the opening speech Mr. Kodihalli Chandrashekar, President, Karnataka Raitha Sangha,  was critical about the momentary solidarity shown by the elected representatives. He ridiculed all previous and the present government for not having far fetched vision for solving the problems of the farmers. He said implementing Paramashivayya Report is the best remedy for the water woes. Mr Anjaneya Reddy, president, Shashvata Neeravari Horaata Samithi, in his speech said, "the farmers and the citizens have been agitating and also did a 'paadayatre' for several weeks in the affected areas, activists are on 'dharani' from past few weeks, but the politicians did not relate to the cause and did not involve themselves for the people's cause." He pointed out at the politicians sitting in the front row in the summer heat and said "if at all you were responsive to the people's agony, you would've got a place on the stage. Sorry to say this, you have all disappointed us. If you can't respond and relate to the people's problems, kindly tender your resignations."  The crowd seconded his words by applauding his straight talk. Mr.Mallur Harish, slammed the so called environmentalists for their objectionistic nature to halt the projects that could address the problems of the people. He cautioned the government that the agitation will be intensified if the government remains passive to the sufferings of the farmers of Chickaballapur-Kolar districts.

And when it was the turn of the politicians to speak Mr Ramesh Kumar, MLA, Srinivaspur, came on to the stage and he clearly expressed his displeasure that the state budget had not allocated any fund to solve the problems of the twin districts Chickaballapur-Kolar. He said he was ready to resign from his seat if at all that would help to resolve the issue. He reassured that he would always stand by the agitators and also said that all the elected representatives cutting across all parties of the two districts were ready to quit their positions if the need arises- for the cause. Listening to his polished words of diplomacy the people wondered why he was speaking on behalf of all the politicians, some of whom have never shown real intent to address this age old water crisis. And as he got down from the stage all the other politicians sitting in the front row got up, and were ready to leave as though their job was over. Suddenly, a voice from the loud-speaker urged them not to leave the venue without listening to other speakers and to that the crowd roared. The politicians had to obediently sit back on their chairs. Shri Nanjaavaduta Swamiji spoke in length on the plight of the farmers due to the insufficient rainfall and pujya swamiji also condemned the inefficiency of the government representatives in handling the draught situation. He alerted the politicians that if the same attitude continues people will 'tie the politicians to the polls and use whip to teach them a lesson'. After few other eminent speakers speech on the issue all the politicians walked till the LH(Legislative House) on the pretext of submitting a memorandum to the CM.

ವಿವಿಧ ಸಂಘಟನೆಗಳ ಪ್ರತಿಭಟನಾ ಮೆರವಣಿಗೆ

ತಾರೀಖು 13 ಮಾರ್ಚ್, ಶುಕ್ರವಾರದಂದು ಬೆಳಿಗ್ಗೆ10:30 ಕ್ಕೆ ಚಿಂತಾಮಣಿಯ ಆಜ್ಹಾದ್ - ಚೌಕದಿಂದ  ಹೊರಟ ಪ್ರತಿಭಟನಾ ಮೆರವಣಿಗೆಯು ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ನಿರ್ಲಿಪ್ತತೆಯ ವಿರುದ್ಧ ಘೋಷಣೆಗಳನ್ನು ಕೂಗುತ್ತ ಜನರ ನೀರಿನ  ಬವಣೆಯ ಅಳಲನ್ನು ವ್ಯಕ್ತಪಡಿಸಿದರು. ಇಪ್ಪತ್ತು ದಿನಗಳಿಂದ, ಪಕ್ಷಾತೀತವಾಗಿ ಮತ್ತು ಜಾತ್ಯಾತೀತವಾಗಿ,  ಸತತವಾಗಿ ಧರಣಿ ನಡೆಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ಹಲವಾರು ಸಂಘಟನೆಗಳು, ಶಾಶ್ವತ  ನೀರಾವರಿ ಹೋರಾಟ ಸಮಿತಿ ಮತ್ತು ಯುವಶಕ್ತಿ ಕಾರ್ಯಕರ್ತರು , ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ಗಮನ ಸೆಳೆದು, ಮತ್ತು ಜನರಿಗೆ ರೈತರ ಕಷ್ಟದ ತೀವ್ರತೆಯ ಅರಿವು ಮೂಡಿಸುವಲ್ಲಿ ಯಶಸ್ವಿಯಾಯಿತು. ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಅಂಗಡಿ ಮುಂಗಟ್ಟುಗಳು ಸ್ವಯಂಪ್ರೇರಿತರಾಗಿ ಮಧ್ಯಾಹ್ನದವರೆಗು ಬಂದ್ ಮಾಡಿ ವ್ಯಾಪಾರಸ್ತರು ಮೆರವಣಿಗೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಭಾಗವಹಿಸಿದರು. ಜನರ ಈ ಆಕ್ರೋಶವನ್ನು ಮನಗಂಡ  ಸಂಸತ್ ಸದಸ್ಯರಾದ K.H ಮುನಿಯಪ್ಪನವರು ಧರಣಿ ಸ್ಥಳಕ್ಕೆ ಆಗಮಿಸಿ ಜನರಿಗೆ ಭರವಸೆ ಹಾಗು ಆಶ್ವಾಸನೆ ಕೊಡಲು ಬಂದಿದ್ದರು. ಆದರೆ ಜನರ ಆಕ್ರೋಶದ ಮಾತುಗಳ ಮಧ್ಯೆ ಅವರ ಧನಿ ಕುಗ್ಗಿತು. ಅವರ ಭಾಷಣವನ್ನು ಮಧ್ಯದಲ್ಲೇ ನಿಲ್ಲಿಸಿ ಅಲ್ಲಿಂದ ಜಾಗ ಖಾಲಿ ಮಾಡಬೇಕಾಯಿತು. "ನೀರು ಕೊಡಿ, ಇಲ್ಲವಾದಲ್ಲಿ ವಿಧಾನ ಸೌಧವನ್ನೇ ಮುಚ್ಚಿ" ಎಂಬ ಕೂಗು ಕೇಳಿಬಂತು. 

ಜನರಿಗೆ ಇನ್ನು ಆಶ್ವಾಸನೆಗಳು ಭಾಷಣಗಳು ಬೇಕಿಲ್ಲ. ರಾಜಕೀಯ ಪಕ್ಷಗಳ ಚುನಾವಣೆ ಸಮಯದ ಮರಳು ಮಾಡಿಸುವ, ಮೋಡಿ ಮಾಡುವ ನೀರ್ಗುಳ್ಳೆಯ ಭರವಸೆಗಳು ಬೇಕಿಲ್ಲ. ಸಮಾಜವನ್ನು ಒಡೆಯುವ ದುರುದ್ದೇಶದ ಸರ್ಕಾರಿ ಸವಲತ್ತುಗಳು ಬೇಕಿಲ್ಲ. ಮೋಸಕ್ಕೆ ಎಡೆ ಮಾಡುವ  ಜನಪ್ರಿಯ ಕೊಡುಗೆಗಳು ಬೇಕಿಲ್ಲ. ತೀರ್ಥ ಯಾತ್ರೆಗಳಿಗೆ ಸೌಕರ್ಯ ಬೇಕಿಲ್ಲ. ಮಠ, ಮಂದಿರ, ಮಸೀದಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಅನುದಾನ ಬೇಕಿಲ್ಲ. ಜನರಿಗೆ ಬೇಕಿರುವುದು ಮೂಲಭೂತ ಸೌಕರ್ಯ!! ಸ್ವತಂತ್ರ ಬಂದು ಆರು ದಶಕಗಳಾದರೂ ಜನರಿಗೆ ಮೂಲಭೂತ ಸೌಕರ್ಯಗಳನ್ನು ಒದಗಿಸಲಾಗಿಲ್ಲದಿರುವುದು ವಿಪರ್ಯಾಸ. ಸಾವಿರಾರು ಕೋಠಿ ರೂಪಾಯಿಗಳು ಹಗರಣಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಮಾಯವಾಗಿದೆ. ಜನಪರ ಯೋಜನೆಗಳನ್ನು ಕೈಗೆತ್ತಿಕೊಳ್ಳದೆ ಸುಮ್ಮನೆ ಚುನಾವಣೆ ಗೆಲ್ಲುವುದೇ ಮುಖ್ಯ ಆದ್ಯತೆ ಆಗಿಹೋಗಿದೆ. ಎಷ್ಟೋ ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಬರ ಪ್ರದೇಶವಾಗಿದ್ದರೂ, ಯತೇಚ್ಚವಾಗಿ ನೀರು ಸಿಗುವ ಯೋಜನೆಗಳನ್ನು ಹಾಕಿ ಪೂರ್ತಿಗೊಳಿಸುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಹೊರ ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರಗಳೇಕೆ, ಪಕ್ಕದ ಸೀಮಾಂದ್ರ ಹಾಗು ತೆಲೆಂಗಣ ರಾಜ್ಯಗಳು ಕುಡಿಯುವ ನೀರಿನ ಸಮಸ್ಯೆ ಬಗೆಹರಿಸಲು ದೊಡ್ಡ ಪ್ರಮಾಣದಲ್ಲಿ ಯೋಜನೆಗಳನ್ನು ಹಾಕಿಕೊಂಡು ಕಾರ್ಯಪ್ರವೃತ್ತರಾಗಿದ್ದರೆ. ತಮಿಳುನಾಡಿನ ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿಗೆ ಸದಾ ಕಾವೇರಿಯ ಮೇಲೇ ಕಣ್ಣು. ಅಲ್ಲಿನ ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿಗಳ ನೀರಿನ ಸಂಕಷ್ಟದ ಸ್ಪಂದನೆ ಜಗಜ್ಜಾಹಿತ. see the link here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkRkLgSkuzg ,  ನಮ್ಮ ರಾಜ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ  ಯೋಜನೆಗಳೇನು..... ಅದರ ವರದಿಗಳೇನು......ಪುನಃ ಪರಿಶೀಲನೆಗಳೇನು.... ಇದರಲ್ಲೇ ವರ್ಷಗಳು ಕಳೆದು ಬೊಕ್ಕಸ ಖಾಲಿಯಾಗುತ್ತಿದೆ, ವರದಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಜೇಡ ಕಟ್ಟುತ್ತಿದೆ.

ನೀರು ಬಹುಮುಖ್ಯವಾದದ್ದು. ಶುದ್ಧವಾದ ಕುಡಿಯುವ ನೀರಿಲ್ಲದಿದ್ದರೆ ರೋಗಗಳು ಬಂದು ಜನರ ಹಣವೆಲ್ಲಾ ಸುಶ್ರೂಶೆಗೆ ಖ್ಹರ್ಚಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಸಮಾಜದ ಆರೋಗ್ಯವನ್ನೇ ಕೆಡಿಸುತ್ತದೆ. ರೈತರು ಕಂಗಾಲಾಗಿ ಉಳುಮೆಯನ್ನು ಬಿಟ್ಟು ನಗರ ಪ್ರದೇಶಗಳನ್ನು ಸೇರುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಇದರಿಂದಲೇ ದೊಡ್ಡ ನಗರಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಜನ ದಟ್ಟಣೆ ಹೆಚ್ಚುತ್ತಿದೆ. ಸಮರ್ಪಕ ನೀರಿನ ಸರಬರಾಜಿನಿಂದ ನಾಡಿನ ರೂಪು-ರೇಷ ಗಳು ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣ  ಬದಲಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಸರ್ವತೋಮುಖ ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿಯಾಗುತ್ತದೆ .

ಕರ್ಣಾಟಕದ ಇಬ್ಬರೇ 'ಭಾರತರತ್ನ' ರನ್ನು,  Sir M. ವಿಶ್ವೇಶ್ವರಯ್ಯ ಮತ್ತು Prof.  CNR ರಾವ್,  ನೀಡಿದ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಯನ್ನು ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಏಕೆ ನಿರ್ಲಕ್ಷಿಸುತ್ತಿದೆಯೊ ತಿಳಿಯದಾಗಿದೆ. ಇಲ್ಲಿನ ಜನಪ್ರತಿನಿಧಿಗಳ ನಿಶ್ಕ್ರಿಯ ಮನೋಭಾವ ಬೇಸರ, ಅಸಹ್ಯ ಮತ್ತು ಆಕ್ರೋಷ ಎಲ್ಲವೂ ಒಮ್ಮೆಲೇ ಹುಟ್ಟಿಸುತ್ತದೆ. ತಮ್ಮ ಪಕ್ಷಕ್ಕಿಂತ, ಕೂತಿರುವ ಪದವಿಯ ಖೂರ್ಚಿಗಿಂತ ತಮ್ಮನ್ನು ಆಯ್ಕೆ ಮಾಡಿದ ಜನರೇ ಎಲ್ಲಕ್ಕಿಂತಲೂ ಮುಖ್ಯ ಎಂದು ಅರಿತರೆ ಈ ತರಹದ ಸಂಕಷ್ಟ ಒದಗುತ್ತಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ, ಜನರು ನೀರಿಗೂ ಹೊರಡುವಂತ ಪರಿಸ್ತಿತಿ ಬರುತ್ತಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ, ಅವರ ಪ್ರಾಮಾಣಿಕತೆಯನ್ನು ಯಾರೂ ಪ್ರಶ್ನಿಸುತ್ತಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ.    

ಮಳೆ ಬರುವುದೋ ಬಿಡುವುದೋ , ಹೊಳೆ ಹರಿಸುವ ಜವಾಬ್ದಾರಿ ಸರ್ಕಾರದ್ದು!

ಚಳಿಗಾಲ ಮುಗಿದು ಬೇಸಿಗೆಯ ಬಿಸಿ ತಾಕಲೇ  ಇಲ್ಲ, ಆಗಲೇ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಯ ಕೆರೆಗಳೆಲ್ಲ ಬತ್ತಿ ಬರುಡಾಗಿದೆ. ಅಂತರ್ಜಲ ಕುಸಿದು ಸತತವಾಗಿ ಕೊರೆಯಲಾಗುತ್ತಿರುವ ಬೋರ್-ವೆಲ್ ಗಳು ಭೂಮಿಗೆ ಗಾಯ ಮಾಡಿದೆಯೇ ಹೊರತು ನೀರು ಮಾತ್ರ ಸಿಗುತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ. ಚಿಂತಾಮಣಿ ನಗರದ ನೀರಿನ ಬೇಡಿಕೆಯನ್ನು ನಿಭಾಯಿಸಲು ಚಿಂತಾಮಣಿ ಮುನಿಸಿಪಾಲಿಟಿ ಹೆಣಗಾಡುತ್ತಿದೆ. ಹತ್ತು-ಹದಿನೈದು ದಿನಗಳಿಗೊಮ್ಮೆ ನೀರು ಬಿಟ್ಟು ಹೇಗೋ ಜನರ ನೀರಿನ ಅವಶ್ಯಕತೆಯನ್ನು ಪೂರೈಸಲು ಪರದಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಟ್ರ್ಯಾಕ್ಟರ್- ಗಳಲ್ಲಿನ  ನೀರಿನ ಟ್ಯಾಂಕರ್ ಗಳು ಚಿಂತಾಮಣಿ ಜನರ ಪಾಲಿಗೆ ಸಧ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ Life-line ಆಗಿ ಪರಿಣಮಿಸಿದೆ. ಆದರೆ ಈ Life-line ಗಳಿಗೂ ಬೆಲೆ ತೆತ್ತಲೇ ಬೇಕು. ಬರುವ ದಿನಗಳಲ್ಲಿ  ಇದರ ಬೆಲೆಯೂ ದುಬಾರಿಯಾಗುವುದರಲ್ಲಿ ಸಂದೇಹವೇ ಇಲ್ಲ.

ಇನ್ನು, ನಮ್ಮ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಯ ರೈತರ ಕಷ್ಟವಂತು ಶೋಚನೀಯ. ಬೋರ್ ಗಳು fail ಆಗಿ ನಿರೀಕ್ಷೆಯ ಬೆಳೆ ಬೆಳೆಯಲಾಗದೆ ರೈತರು ದೃತಿಗೆಟ್ಟಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಕಾಲ-ಕಾಲಕ್ಕೆ ಮಳೆಗಳಾಗದೆ ರೈತನು ಆಗಸದ ಕಡೆ ಮುಖ ಮಾಡಿ ಸೊರಗುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾನೆ. ಬಯಲುಸೀಮೆ ರೈತರು ಹೆಚ್ಚಾಗಿ ಮಳೆಯನ್ನೇ ಅವಲಂಬಿಸಿದವರು. ಈ ನಾಡಿನಲ್ಲಿ ರಾಜ್ಯದ  ಬೇರೆಲ್ಲೂ ಇರದಷ್ಟು ಕೆರೆ-ಕುಂಟೆಗಳಿವೆ. ಮುಂಚಿನಿಂದಲೂ ಇದನ್ನೇ ಅವಲಂಬಿಸಿದ ರೈತರು ಇರುವ ಅಲ್ಪ ಸೌಕರ್ಯದಲ್ಲೇ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಬೆಳೆಗಳನ್ನು ಬೆಳೆದು 'ಸೈ' ಎನಿಸಿಕೊಂಡಿರುವವರು. ಕಷ್ಟಪಟ್ಟು ಹಗಲು-ರಾತ್ರಿ ಎನ್ನದೆ ದುಡಿದು ವರ್ಷಕ್ಕೆ ಮೂರು-ನಾಲ್ಕು ಫಸಲುಗಳನ್ನು ತೆಗೆಯುವ ಸಾಮರ್ಥ್ಯ ಉಳ್ಳವರು. ನಮ್ಮ ರೈತರಲ್ಲಿ ಕೆಲವರು ಮಂಡ್ಯ, ಮೈಸೂರು ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಜಮೀನನ್ನು ಲೀಜ್ ಗೆ, ಇಲ್ಲವೇ ಖರೀದಿಸಿ ಅತ್ಯುತ್ತಮ ಬೆಳೆಗಳನ್ನು ಬೆಳೆದು ಅಲ್ಲಿಯವರನ್ನು ಬೆರೆಗುಗೊಳಿಸಿದ ನಿದರ್ಶನಗಳಿವೆ. (ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯವಾಗಿ ಅಲ್ಲಿನ ರೈತರು ವರ್ಷಕ್ಕೊಮ್ಮೆ ಕಬ್ಬನ್ನು ಬಿತ್ತಿ ಕೈಕಟ್ಟಿ ಕೂರುವ ಪರಿಪಾಟದವರು).  ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ಕೆಲವು ಪ್ರತಿನಿಧಿಗಳು ರೈತರು ಹೊಸ ತಂತ್ರಜ್ಞಾನವನ್ನು ಅಳವಡಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳಬೇಕೆಂದು ಕಿವಿಮಾತು ಹೇಳುತ್ತರೆ. ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ಸಾಲ ಕೊಡುತ್ತೇವೆ ಎಂದು ಬೊಬ್ಬೆ ಹೊಡೆಯುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಆದರೆ ನೀರೇ ಇಲ್ಲದಿರುವಾಗ ಆಧುನಿಕ ತಂತ್ರಜ್ಞಾನದ ಯಂತ್ರಗಳು ಏನು ಮಾಡೀತು ? There's no alternate for water. 

ಜಾನುವಾರುಗಳಿಗೆ ನೀರಿಲ್ಲದೆ ಒದ್ದಾಡುವ ಪರಿಸ್ಥಿತಿ. ನಮ್ಮ ನಾಡು ಹಾಲು ಉತ್ಪಾದನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ (milk & silk) ಮೇಲುಗೈ ಸಾಧಿಸಿದ ನಾಡು. ಹಸುಗಳಿಗೆ ನೀರು ಒದಗಿಸಲು ನಮ್ಮ ರೈತರು ಪಡುವ ಪಾಡು ಹೇಳತೀರದು. IT ಕಂಪನಿಗಳ ಮಾಲೀಕರು ಕೆಮ್ಮಿದರೇ ಸಾಕು ಕಂಗಾಲಾಗುವ ಸರ್ಕಾರಗಳು ನಮ್ಮ ರೈತರ ಕಷ್ಟಕ್ಕೆ ಏಕೆ ಸ್ಪಂದಿಸುವ ಇಚ್ಛೆ ತೋರುತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ? IT ಕಂಪನಿಗಳಿಗೇನು..... ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಅಲ್ಲದಿದ್ದರೆ ಅಲ್ಲಿ, ಅಲ್ಲಿಯೂ ಅಲ್ಲದಿದ್ದರೆ ಇನ್ನೆಲ್ಲೋ! ಸಮಯ ಬಂದರೆ ದೇಶ ತೊರೆದು ಬೇರೆ ದೇಶಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋಗಿ ಘಂಟೆ ಬಾರಿಸುವ (pun intended - ringing the bell at the stock exchanges  ) ನಿಪುಣ ವ್ಯಾಪಾರಿಗಳು. ಆದರೆ ನಮ್ಮ ರೈತರು ಮಾತ್ರ ಪ್ರತಿನಿಧಿಗಳಿಗೆ -  "ಸಂಕಟ ಬಂದಾಗ ವೆಂಕಟರಮಣ, ಎಂದ ಹಾಗೆ ...ಎಲೆಕ್ಷನ್ ಬಂದಾಗ ಎಂಟ್ರೋಣಪ್ಪ  !"

  

"ಮಳೆ ಬಾರದಿದ್ದರೆ ಏನು ಮಾಡುವುದು...?", ಎಂಬ ನಿಲುವು ತಾಳಿ ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಕೈಚೆಲ್ಲಬಾರದು! ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ಮಹಾ'ನಗರಕ್ಕೆ ದೂರದ ಮೈಸೂರಿನಿಂದ ಮತ್ತು ತಿಪ್ಪಗೊಂಡನ ಹಳ್ಳಿಯಿಂದ ಪೈಪ್ ಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ನೀರು ಹರಿಸಿ ಅಲ್ಲಿನ ಜನರಿಗೆ ನೀರು ಒದಗಿಸುತ್ತಿಲ್ಲವೇ? ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದ ಕೆಲವು ಭಾಗಗಳ ಕೆರೆಗಳಿಗೆ ಕಾಲುವೆ/ಚ್ಯಾನೆಲ್ ಗಳನ್ನು ಮಾಡಿ ಆಗಿಂದಾಗ್ಗೆ ಆ ಕೆರೆಗಳನ್ನು ತುಂಬಿಸುತ್ತಿಲ್ಲವೇ? 

Dr G.S ಪರಮಶಿವಯ್ಯ ನವರು ಬಯಲುಸೀಮೆಯ ಜನರ ದುಗುಡವನ್ನು ಅರಿತು ನೀರಿನ ಸಮಸ್ಯೆಗೆ ಶಾಶ್ವತ ಪರಿಹಾರದ ವರದಿಯನ್ನು ಸರ್ಕಾರಕ್ಕೆ ಸಲ್ಲಿಸಿ ಹಲವು ವರ್ಷಗಳಾಗಿದೆ. ಇಲ್ಲಿನ ಜನರಿಂದಲೇ ಆಯ್ಕೆಯಾದ ಜನ ಪ್ರತಿನಿಧಿಗಳು ಕಂಕಣ ತೊಟ್ಟು ನಿಂತರೆ, Dr  G.S. ಪರಮಶಿವಯ್ಯನವರ ವರದಿ ಜಾರಿಗೊಳ್ಳುವುದರಲ್ಲಿ ಸಂದೇಹವೇ ಇಲ್ಲ, ನೀರಿನ ಸಮಸ್ಯೆ ಬಗೆಹರಿಯದೆ ಉಳಿಯುವಂತದ್ದಲ್ಲ!

People can live without love, but none can live without water.

ಶಾಶ್ವತ ನೀರಾವರಿ ಹೋರಾಟಕ್ಕೆ ಜಯವಾಗಲಿ!

November 2014

The Yuva Brigade of Chintamani Presented a Befitting Army Day

Jan 15, Sankranti, but the festivities were of different kind. The young boys and girls chose to spend some quality time with the army personnel and ex-servicemen, listening to the brave hearts. Since Jan 15th is commemorated as the Army Day, the youth brigade and the NCC of Chintamani First Grade College had organised an event to honor the army men hailing from Chintamani.

Courageous men from Chintamani have joined the army and they have fought battles for India. On this Army Day function we had ex-servicemen who have taken enemy bullets in a zeal to hold the Indian flag high. The six invited army personnel have had assignments in testing conditions such as Kargil, Wagah, Baramulla etc, and at the Siachen too. The special guests shared their adventurous experiences while on duty, protecting the interests of our country. They said they were never scared  losing life because the pride of upholding India's integrity weighed more than the fear of losing life. They called upon the youth who were present at the venue to join the Indian army, to attain that sense of satisfaction in life. The audience were all awestruck hearing to the bravado of some of the guests. They were truly inspiring. The crowd overwhelmingly proclaimed "This is the best Sankranti I've ever had". Defenitely, there wouldn't be festivals if there wasn't these valiant soldiers guarding us all the way putting their heart and soul upfront.

Arvind, a student of the college took initiative to organise this wonderful program. Prashant Reddy welcomed the guests. It was apt that the program began with the inspirational words of Shri. Ramesh, DySP Chickaballapura in his invocation speech. Ms Lakshmi rendered the invocation prayer. Shashank introduced the guests. Gurunath did the compering.  

Clean Chintamani - They Have Taken-up The Challenge

They are the soldiers of  Swacch Bharat Abhyaan, wearing green T-Shirts and all charged-up to swing into action. Over 50 members of this team started their stir against untidiness on Sunday, 6am. The area they chose to clean was from Shanimahatma Temple to Govt Bus Depot on both sides of the double road. The joint effort of Chintamani Municipality and the citizen group vigorously worked to sweep away all the garbage, unwanted rocks, weeds, debris, etc. and made way for the pedestrians on the side-walk. The nearby shop owners were made to pick-up the trash their businesses had generated and were dumped into the municipal garbage vehicles. At 10:30 am when they finished their cleaning activity for the day they had cleared over 25 tractor loads of trash. A perfect example of extraordinary work the partnership of governance(municipality)-citizen groups could do.

Mr Krishna Reddy, the initiator of this activity, vehemently said "This is not an individual effort. We started this cleaning activity from the Hanuman Temple in Kannampalli with a group of morning walking friends. Every first Sunday of the month is dedicated for this activity. Now the strength of volunteers have grown to nearly 100. Bigger the better. With more scribes involving and spreading awareness "Swacch Chintamani" is not a distant dream." 

Mr Babu, the municipal health inspector, said that  the municipality wants to spread this kind of activity to all wards of Chintamani. And the municipality would be more than willing to support in this regard.

Their next activity is on Sunday the1st February at 6 am starting from KSRTC Bus Depot towards Raghavendra Mutt. Please do join in! 

Rajan-Nagendra Musical Evening- Chintamani Relished

It was a musically soothing Saturday evening when the legendary music composer of Kannada film industry Shri. Rajan (of Rajan- Nagendra  duo fame) graced upon Chintamani.

. The event "Jenina hoLeyo...Halina maLeyo" was a  program that will be remembered for a long time. The musical program was organised by the admirers of Rajan-Nagendra genre of music. The singers enthralled the jam-packed auditorium at the Vidya Ganapati Ranga Mandira by rendering back-to-back greatest hits of Rajan-Nagendra. The songs ranged from the years 1960s to 2014, be it devotional hits like indu enage govinda, gopi lola, tallaNisadiru, or hot number like Sutta muttalu, or candid haLLiyadarenu shiva or the evergreen duets like jeeva veene, ellelli noDali, mathonda heLuve, nagu nagutha, or romantic melodies like omme ninnannu, aakaashave beeLali, peppy number like gil gil gillakku and couple of Telugu hits emo emo idi and Mallelu poose. etc were all  beautifully sung and the audience enjoyed every bit of it. The latest songs from his devotional albums were also rendered. The 24 songs that were rendered were just a few from his enormous store of hit songs. Shri. Rajan was honored by the fans from Chintamani. Speaking on this ocassion Shri. Rajan said "the admirers and the fans are the real assets I have earned through my work. And I will affectionately cherish the love shown by the Chintamani people all my life". Shri Rajan's son Shri. Ananth's presence gave strength to the singers. When the program ended the people were found still wanting.

The program was well organised by Sukh-Sagar Murali, Eye TV Nagaraj, Journalist Ravi Prkash, Raaghu, Vinay and Gurunath, ably supported by enthusiastic volunteers. Mr Murali welcomed the guests. The program was hosted  by Gurunath and Ankita of E-TV serial fame. Kannada Sahitya mattu Samskruti Ilakhe backed this event. And ofcourse, the sponsors generous contribution helped to put-up a great show as a gift to the people of Chintamani. The traffic and the crowd were orderly controlled by the Police. Thanks to the Vidya Ganapati Mandir Trust for conceptualising this suitable venue and for constantly supporting many cultural and entertaining programmes like these.

Click on the links for the video. Happy watching!!
Jenina hoLeyo...Part-1
Jenina hoLeyo...Part-2

Jenina hoLeyo...Part-3
Jenina hoLeyo...Part-4
Jenina hoLeyo...Part-5
Jenina hoLeyo...Part-6
Jenina hoLeyo...Part-7
Jenina hoLeyo...Part-8

The Train Facility - An Inadequate Advantage

The train- it's definitely a much needed mode of transport, that finally took shape after lots of dilly-dallying.(read from CC archive) The train passing through Chintamani has a lukewarm response from the general public. However, there are a good number of people who are using the train as a mode of transport, especially towards Bangalore. When CC did a reality check on the Bangalore Passenger Train, that arrives at the Chintamani station at 3:00 pm and departs at 3:02 pm, there were around 150 passengers waiting to alight the train, most of the passengers  bound to Shidlaghatta. The Bangalore Passenger which was flagged-off last February travels roundabout, passing through Shidlaghatta, Yelahanka, Krishnarajapuram and reaches the Majestic Railway Station in Bangalore at 6:30-6:45 pm.  The train fare of Rs 25 to Bangalore makes it very economical, but the fact that the train is scheduled at an inconvenient time for the daily commuters to Bangalore makes this train less preferable. If the train is scheduled in the early morning to Bangalore, this could help thousands of people who work in Bangalore to commute daily. Tumkur and Bangarpet are the examples of how the train facility to the state capital could help the working population and the college going students of those towns. Mr K.H.Muniyappa, MP from our constituency, during his tenure as a railway minister  revived this rail route, but  the railway minister Sadananda Gowda, also from Karnataka forgot to smile at us  in the 2014 Railway Budget. Hope the newly anointed railway minister Mr Suresh Prabhu will inflict some more activity by adding new train along this route.  

Saahitya Koota - 3000 Incredible Weeks!

"Saahitya Koota" completed it's 3000th Saturday's weekly program on 27th July 2014. To mark the occasion it was celebrated at the Hari Keerthana Mandira in Sri Brahmachaitanya Srirama Mandira. (The weekly programs are usually held at the Shishuvihaara, behind the Public Library) Prof. RVS.Sundaram, a former Professor and Director of Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies, University of Mysore was the chief guest and the orator for the day. Shri G.H. Venkatesh Murthy and Shri B. Srirama Murthy presided over the function.

Prof  RVS. Sundaram is a recipient of A.P Sahitya Academy Award who had worked as a Telugu lecturer at the Chintamani Municipal College in the year 1969. He was not familiar with Kannada when he first came to Chintamani, but his urge and inclination towards Kannada language made him to accomplish M.A in Kannada within a year. Apart from writing several books in Telugu, he has translated many Kannada works of great poets and writers to Telugu for which he has received  Bhaasha Bharati Award for translation from Central Institute of Indian Languages, Ministry of HRD. His books, monographs and over 200 papers and articles are published in Telugu, Kannada and English. He is a visiting Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, USA on the South Asian Studies where he helps the students acquire knowledge on Telugu and Kannada and study the great works written ages ago. It's his humility that he dedicated his achievements to his brief occupation in Chintamani a few decades ago.

Speaking on the occasion he said - "Kannada is a very rich language with lots of books that can be considered as a treasure of knowledge. Kannada has had great writers in every era who have comprehensively written on various subjects, be it on great epics(Ramayana,Mahabharata) or on Science or on Mathematics. There is a book in Sanskrit that was written in the past which introduces the reader to the Kannada language. And there's also a book written in English on Kannada which the Britishers used to learn the language. Kannadigas themselves will be startled to hear the immenseness of Kannada language. The students of many countries are showing lot of interest to learn Kannada and study the works of great writers and have also translated them to the language of their land. It's kind of unfortunate that the Kannadigas are unaware of the richness they possess and there's a disinterest towards the language." After Prof. RVS. Sundaram's 75 mins of outstanding oration the audience were overjoyed with attaining knowledge about their own language and were beaming proudly because their love towards Kannada increased manifolds.

 He appealed to the people, especially the youth, to love the language and try to read the great books written in Kannada.

And later there was also a Bharatanatya Program by the students of Srisai Kalanikethana. The dance by the students was a treat to watch with each song having different flavours of expression. The budding talents exhibited their potential in the limited time available. Thanks to their teacher Smt.Bhaamamani for keeping  this great form of art alive in Chintamani.

The 3000th week was a befitting program, all thanks to Shri Y.G.Anantha Shastry, Shri G.Jayaram, Shri. Ashwathnarayana and many others who have shouldered the responsibility of keeping it going gracefully. 

Archive: 2800th week

        

Check this out!! - A Captivating Check Dam

Hidden inside the green patch of forest area is a beautiful water bed, nearly 30 kms from Chintamani. After the 23 kms of drive on the Madanapalli Road, you have to take a left turn after Kurupalli that leads to Doddabaandrahalli. The 7 kms drive, off the Madanapalli Road towards Doddabaandrahalli, on the narrow road in between the Mango grove and a stretch of really secluded Eucalyptus Woods is so scenic and is an exciting trail in itself. In between the Eucaluptus tree, a right turn on the muddy lane will lead you to this fascinating and mammoth Morampally Check Dam Project.The huge catchment area in between the weald on the countryside is so delightful to see and to experience. This Check Dam project initiated more than a decade ago seem to be left incomplete, reason best known to the government authorities. However, the quantity of water in the dam depends solely on the amount of rainfall in the catchment area. The locals say that they last witnessed it in full glory 4 years ago when they had good rains and the water over-flowed through the channels and the water bank looked like an ocean. The people who utilise this water for their farms and who bask on this stunning place in their vicinity are eagerly waiting for the God's generosity- gifting them the rains. And the color of joy will be back again. Without the rain, there would be no rainbow! Oh God... please bless with rains, we bow!!
     

Chintamani, Na Kolar ka..Na Chickballapur ka!!

SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2009

CHINTAMANI GETS A DOUBLE BONANZA

The congress party has given Chintamani a double bonanza in the cabinet. Chintamani, which is in Chickaballapura district falls in a Kolar parliamentary constituency.In the recently held parliamentary elections, the victorious candidiates,Mr K.H.Muniyappa from Kolar and Mr Veerappa Moily from Chickaballapur, have been chosen as ministers in the Dr.Manmohan Singh's cabinet. Mr K.H.Muniyappa is a minister of state for railways and Mr Veerappa Moily was sworn in as the law minister.CC and the citizens of Chintamani have high expectations from these two leaders.Hope they make best use of this opportunity and wish they make progress as their mantra.What better could we ask for?  

The above article was written five years ago when the Congress led UPA formed the union government. Chintamani cheered with hope that the political development would bring in a package of goodies to the town. It is argued that the parliamentary elections are all about the national issues and addressing the overall development of the nation. But when the representatives or MPs who go on to hold a significant position in the government, it raises huge expectation among the citizens who voted. The voters have reasons to expect. They hope the elected representatives would work for resolving local problems or would take measures to improve the general living of the society. Five years have gone by and it's time to review the gains Chintamani got from the "Double Bonanza". Apart from the lone namesake train that stops for 2 minutes at 3:00 pm, Chintamani did not profit much considering the prominent posts the ministers held in the UPA government. What the people thought as advantage turned out to be detrimental to Chintamani's growth. One minister could have ignored because Chintamani doesn't come under his candidature district and the other obviously thought it doesn't fall under his electoral constituency.  Ultimately, Chintamani reh gaya na idhar ka na udhar ka! (Na Kolar ka, Na Chickballapur ka) As the saying goes, " The one who rides two boats is sure to be overthrown!" . We have no other option, but frown!
Hope whoever wins will include Chintamani in the government's development programmes and make the people of Chintamani proud for electing them.

NOTHING COMES IN

 


  

TRAFFIC LIGHTS - A SIGNAL TO PROGRESS!

The unmanageable traffic snarls of Chintamani got the much needed controlling tool- the traffic lights. The solar powered LED traffic signal lights became operational on Monday, the 24th Feb. With the advent of traffic signals at all main circles, the haphazard movement of vehicles has come down considerably. The clogging at the Petrol Bunk Circle, PCR Complex, Gajanana Circle, Chelur Circle and the Taluk Office Circle will be the thing of the past. The situation of the traffic movement was chaotic and dangerous too. The negligent and rash driving has taken few lives too.( Read on: A Businessman Dies- Traffic Disorder Inflicted Tragedy ) Now, suddenly you see the vehicle owners are stopping to the red lights and are patiently waiting for the lights to turn green! Thanks to the Police Department and also the people who have strived to equip Chintamani with the traffic lights. Now isn't it time to have an exclusive traffic department too? 

There definitely will be an improvement or reformation, like painting the 'Zebra-Crossing' and the lanes, adjusting the signal timer, etc. Sadly, we still see few people who jump the signals and drive on the wrong side of the road.( Check the video, at 5:40 an aged person is on the wrong-side and at 10:36 a lady jumps the signal from the right side of the median). The attitude "wrong-side ಅಲ್ಲಿ ದೂರು ನಮಗೆ ಅಡ್ಡ ಬರೌರ್ ಯಾರು?" " ಹೇಳೋರ್  ಕೇಳೋರ್  ಯಾರು ಇಲ್ಲ " (from the song "Namma Ooru Chintamani"(click here)) is spoiling the party. Will they ever learn at all!

And, what the government has completely overlooked is the plight of the pedestrians. Do they have a space to walk? Aren't they entitled to some safe footpaths? Hope the concerned authorities will take steps to make the pedestrians life easier!

BEFORE THE SIGNAL LIGHT INSTALLATION 

'Sahasradeepa', - The Torch-Bearers of Change

A vacation is the time to freak out and have fun. It's the time to revel in various activities. Here is an organisation, 'SAHASRADEEPA'  of young boys and girls who have a flair for social activities. They get a kick out of their participation in socially relevant  deeds. They think they have a responsibility to contribute to the society, or a sense of obligation to give back to the town they love. They do not think they have to get elected to take up a social cause. (Ironically, our elected municipal representatives are still resting on their laurels of election victory  since10 months click here).  The robust team includes Shashank Reddy, Prashanth Reddy, Sanjay M, Govardhan, Varun Reddy, Sajjad Ali, Anil, Sree Vani, Lakshmi P, Lakshmi Segu, Meghana, Deeksha M, Shwetha, Revathi, Anusha, Brinda Reddy, Jahnavi, Ashwini, Rashmi, Sanjay, Girish R.V, Praveen, Gouthami, Varun T.R  etc., Chintamani Calling congratulates them. They inspire!

These young people under the activity called 'VIDYADEEPA' visit the government schools and they share their knowledge with the little ones. They carry laptops and show the kids some interesting pictures that'll induce the thirst for knowledge in the little minds. The co-ordination between these volunteers during the activity is impeccable and the caring attitude of the volunteers is effectual.

Under 'PARISARADEEPA', on Jan 12th,  they chose to clean-up the plastic mess on the route to the hill top of ' Kannampalli Betta'. The empty snack packets and the water packets were strewn all around by visitors. And more recently some people had "religiously" generated a considerable heap of contamination. The volunteers picked up all the mess in the bags given by the municipal office and was loaded to the municipality tractor. Restoring the natural beauty of the hill has been accomplished. Now these young people plan to replicate the activity in the centre of the town to bring about awareness among the general public of Chintamani. Let this socially inclined tribe grow!  

HURRAY!! IT"S THE TRAIN!!

The resumption of the train service passing through Chintamani brought joy to many people. The train that was flagged-off  on Friday the 8th November at Chickaballapur was welcomed at Chintamani with all the fanfare. Although it's only a single train that runs to-and-fro, Bangalore City to Kolar, this brings a hope that more trains will be added in the near future. People flocked to the Railway Station to see the train touching Chintamani. Their joy seem to be inexhaustable, and their speculations, limitless. The word is that this train route is not very convenient to the people who travel daily to Bangalore, because this train  enroute to Bangalore departs Chintamani Station at 2:48 pm and reaches Bangalore City by 5:00 pm. Most people who work in Bangalore or the Businessmen prefer early mornings to travel. They prefer to reach the city before noon. And also how this train could help the people of Kolar has to be seen.

CC had covered a story "The New Railway Station Waits for the Train to Arrive"  three years ago. The pictures of the station were also posted. But, it's now time to rejoice because the wait is over and it's just a matter of time when we'll see more trains passing through  our town Chintamani. And hope those trains are scheduled in the larger interest of the passengers. Or else, the whole rail route will become obsolete like the way it was couple of decades ago. 

Kudos to the Ministry of Railways for recognizing the route and revamping it!!  

Should we call it a municipal anarchy?

It's been six months(March 7th,2013) since the municipal elections were held, and the results were out on March 11th, and now it all seem has dipped to hollowness. The formation process of the municipal cabinet is tangled in a court case. The victory the citizens handed over to the candidates is not a laurel for them to take home. It's a responsibility!!

 The candidates from various political parties had filed their nominations with much fanfare and hoopla. The residents of Chintamani turned out to the polling booths with all faith of giving good mandate. The winning candidates also celebrated with a bash and displayed lots of enthusiasm for  delivering good governance. But..., six months have gone by and there has not been even a single meeting of municipal councilors. This clearly is a mockery of our system and disregard for all the voters of Chintamani.

The formation of the municipal cabinet is a primary exercise of the municipality for the progress of the town. The councilors bring in their ideas for development in the council meeting and also can attend to the problems of the citizens with better knowledge. The municipal cabinet helps putting a firm footing in the relationship between the state government and the local administration. The decision of sharing revenues/funds on various projects can't be taken properly and hence the development will take a back seat.  Hope the concerned authorities will immediately fill in the void in the local body.

ADHAR- Imparting Virtuousness Serving the Deserved in Chintamani.

Tucked in the new extension off the Tank Bund Road, near Sai Baba Temple in Chintamani, is a special school which has been diligently involved in nurturing  the differently-abled children. ADHAR. the school for the challenged, is doing a thankless job of grooming the differently-abled people for the past two decades. The students here are taught the etiquette's of life with lots of care and love. The curriculum is scientifically designed because this is just not like the conventional schools that has commercial motto. The strengths and skills of each student is identified and are encouraged to develop their skills. Few of the students have gone out to get suitable jobs. The children are also served nutritionally rich food that helps them to get the necessary nutrients. The socially inclined people visit the school to celebrate Birthdays, Wedding Anniversaries, and other moments of happiness to inherit the unadulterated joy from these children in ADHAR. The school administration has started to build a new bigger and felicitous infrastructure which is facing some problems due to the dearth of support from the local governing body.

The service motive people who are taking care of this modest institute are all so adorable. Ms. Amruthavalli, who holds a MSc in Botany, the patron of this school, is the embodiment of humility. She has a clear insight of the science required to teach her children. Her passion for serving them is just pure. Shiva Kumar, who manages the institute brings in the radiance with his youthfulness. He has quit his well paid job of web designing in Bangalore in order to serve the less privileged. His guitar playing skills have come in handy to recreate the students and infuse liveliness. Ms Kavita patiently teaches the students and she helps them take a good stride in all the activities.

Here is a song/lyric with the mix of Kannada, English and Telugu, set to a tune. The song is filled with pride, irrefutable truth and sarcasm.

ನಮ್ಮ ಊರು ಚಿಂತಾಮಣಿ 

ನಮ್ಮೂರಲ್ಲಿ ಎಲ್ರೂ ಧಣಿ 

ಹೇಳೋರ್ ಕೇಳೋರ್ ಯಾರು ಇಲ್ಲ 

ನಾವ್ ನಡಸಿದಂತೆ ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಎಲ್ಲ

 ಆದ್ರೇ ...

ಸೀದಾ ಸಾದಾ ಜನ ನಾವು ಸಿಕ್ಕಾಪಟ್ಟೆ ಒಳ್ಳೇವ್ರು ನಾವು 

                        ನಮ್ಮ ಊರು ಚಿಂತಾಮಣಿ ...... 

ಎದ್ವ-ತದ್ವ ನಾವು ಗಾಡಿಯನ್ನು ಓಡಿಸಿ 

ಅಡ್ಡ-ದಿಡ್ಡಿ ಗಾಡಿ ಎಲ್ಲಂದ್ರಲ್ಲೇ ನಿಲ್ಲಿಸಿ 

ಇಲ್ವೆ ಇಲ್ಲ ಇಲ್ಲಿ oneway ಎಂಬ policy 

ಮುಂಚಿನಿಂದ ಅಲವಾಟ್ ಇಲ್ಲ traffic rules ಪಾಲಿಸಿ 

wrong-side ಅಲ್ಲಿ ದೂರು 

ನಮಗೆ ಅಡ್ಡ ಬರೌರ್ ಯಾರು?

ಸುಮ್ -ಸುಮ್ನೆ horn ಹೊಡೆದು ಹಾಕ್ತೀವ್ ನಾವು top gearಉ 

                         

                        ನಮ್ಮ ಊರು ಚಿಂತಾಮಣಿ ...... 

ಸಿನಿಮಾಗಿಲ್ಲಿ ಆದರ್ಶ,SLN , ಅಂಜನಿ 

ತೆಲುಗು ಫಿಲಂ ಚೂಸ್ತಾಮು ಎನಬೈ ರುಪಾಯ್ಲು ಬಾಲ್ಕನಿ 

ಚಕ್ಕಲಿ-ನಿಪ್ಪಟ್ ಆನಿಯನ್ ಟೊಮೇಟೊ ಕಾರ ಪುರಿ 

ತಿಂದದ್ದು ಹೆಚ್ಚಾದ್ರೆ lime soda ನನ್ನಾರಿ 

ಪೆಗ್ಗು ಯಾರಿಗ್ ಬೇಕು!!

ಪೆರಗ್-ಬೂಂಧಿ ಇದ್ರೆ ಸಾಕು 

Pub Mall ಬೇಕಾಗಿಲ್ಲ simple ಮಂದಿ ನಾವುಗ್ಳೆಲ್ಲ 

                        ನಮ್ಮ ಊರು ಚಿಂತಾಮಣಿ ...... 

ಕರೆಂಟ್ ನವರು ಆಡಿಸ್ತಾರೆ ಕಣ್ಣಾ ಮುಚ್ಚಾಲೆ ಆಟ 

ಗ್ಯಾಸು ನೀರಿಗಂತು ತಪ್ಪಲ್ಲ ಪರದಾಟ 

ಆ ಕಾರ್ಡು, ಈ ಕಾರ್ಡು, ಏನ್ ಹೇಳ್ಲಿ ನಮ್ಮ ಪಾಡು 

ಬದುಕಿದ್ದಾಗಲೇ ನಮಗೆ ತೋರಿಸ್ತಾರೆ grave yardಉ 

ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಕೊಡುವ ನೋವು 

ಅದ್ರಲ್  ಶ್ಯಾನೆ ಬಿಜಿ ನಾವು 

systemಗೊಂದು salute ಹೊಡೆದು ಮುಂದೆ ಸಾಗೊ ಜನ ನಾವು 

                         ನಮ್ಮ ಊರು ಚಿಂತಾಮಣಿ ...... 

ಘಂಟಸಾಲ ಪಾಟಲಿಕಿ ಸೂರ್ಯಡು ಕೂಡ wakingಉ 

ರಾತ್ರಿಯಲಿ ಬೆಟ್ಟದಡಿ starsಗಳ partyingಉ 

ಸಕ್ಕತ್ತು ಸೂಪರ್ರು ಬೆಟ್ಟ ಗುಡ್ಡಗಳ ಸಾಲು 

ಇನ್ನೆಷ್ಟು ಹೇಳ್ಬೇಕು ಇನ್ನು ಬೇಕ ನಾಕು ಸಾಲು 

                                 -ಅಯ್ಯೋ ಇಂತೈತೆ ನಾಕು ಸಾಲು!!

ಕಣ್ಣು ಬಿಟ್ರೆ ಕೊಂಚ 

ಇದು lovely ಪ್ರಪಂಚ 

ಎಷ್ಟಾದ್ರೂನು ಬಿಟ್ಕೊಡಲ್ಲ Chintamaniacಸು ನಾವು 

                           ನಮ್ಮ ಊರು ಚಿಂತಾಮಣಿ ...... 

New Bus-Stops: What Stops Them From Stopping Here?

As we move on the Double Road towards Bangalore, the slick looking Bus Stops/Shelters on either side of the road will grab your attention. The contemporary looking all steel and beautifully designed shelter for the bus passengers looks all empty. And you'll see people waiting to alight the bus in hot sun and rain not very far away from these shelters. Quite bizarre, isn't it?


The two shelters for the buses moving towards Bangalore are built in a suitable place . The present Bus -Stop (in front of Raghavendra Temple) is actually blocking the traffic, and it also blocks(if there's a bus) the view of the vehicles coming from the road adjacent to the temple for the people driving on Double Road. The new stop is in front of the BDO office where there is an ample space for the buses to stop without blocking the flow of vehicles. And the Bus-Stop beside the KSRTC Depot gate is in disarray because that is the spot where the buses move-in and move-out of the depot causing confusion to the bus drivers and passengers alike. When there's a new slick looking Bus-Stops, what's stopping the buses from stopping there!!
The four other shelters on the road-side leading towards the town seem obsolete, because people usually get down from the buses and disperse immediately to their homes. However, it makes sense to stop the buses at the designated places so that there is a proper order and also the money spent on these bus shelters doesn't go waste. Hope the concerned KSRTC officials will issue an ordinance to make good use of these  infrastructure built for a certain purpose.
CC will definitely bring this to the notice of the concerned authorities, and your feedback will be a shot in the arm.

Chintamani Chaats- "Addirindi!!!"

The very mention of Chintamani Chaats will brighten many faces. The tongue moves over the lips signalling the craving of the taste-buds. The spontaneous word that comes with Chintamani to many outsiders is Chaats- such is it's popularity. It's almost customary to have the stalls that serve Chintamani Chaats at the wedding parties and other occasions. There are many Chaat shops sprinkled around Chintamani, each outlet has it's distinctive tastes.  

The word Chaat is derived from North India, usually referred to an evening snack and savory available on the roadside carts. But the Chaat Masala(mixture of ingredients, mainly Amchur, Ginger and Black Salt) used in the north Indian snack is not used in the process of making Chintamani Chaats. In Chintamani Chaats there are mainly two kinds of Chutneys that impart tastes to all the savouries. A green chutney made out of green chillies, coriander leaves etc and has one variant with garlic (they call it RR masala) and a dark brown sauce(gojju) made out of Tamarind and Jaggery ( Dates could be added too) are the main elements. Red Chilly powder is also used for few items. The other ingredients required to prepare Chintamani Chaats are Puffed rice (burugalu), Nippattu, Chuckli, Groundnuts, Corn Flakes, etc, and Onions, Tomatoes, Carrot & Coriander leaves.

The main items sold in every Chaat outlet in Chintamani are
* Kharam Burugalu(Puffed Rice masala) in 3-5 flavors
* Nippattu Masala
* Onion Chuckli Masala
* Tomato Slice Masala
* Pesarubyallu (Dal Masala)
* Oumpudi Masala (Sev Masala)
* Cornflakes Masala
* Cucumber Masala
* Boti Masala
* Peragu Boondhi (Yogurt with Savory)
* Sweet Corn Masala
And there are many other preparations/savories which the shop owners innovate to induce costumer interest.

Unlike the North Indian Chaats which could be heavy on stomach, the Chintamani Chaats are light on tummy and can be consumed anytime of the day. And not to forget, it's light on the pocket too- with 100 rupees 3 or 4 people can have a blasting time enjoying all the mouth-watering delicacies. If you live in Chintamani you are never far from a Chaat shop. So what are you waiting for, head towards the nearest outlet. Those who live outside Chintamani plan your visit to Chintamani. With Chintamani Chaats .... it is the true Chintamani Calling!!:)