‘Jabhoomi Baalo-2015’ Talacauvery-Bengaluru padayatra leaves city
Mysuru :
“Kodavas should also get the same status and facilities accorded to Parsi community,” opined Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha.
He was speaking at a programme organised at Kodava Samaja in Vijayanagar first stage here to mark the arrival of ‘Jabhoomi Baalo-2015’ Talacauvery-Bengaluru padayatra in the city yesterday.
Noting that the Parsi community, a minority community having less population, is playing a key role in the country’s economy and industrial sector, the MP said that many Parsi achievers such as renowned scientist Dr. Homi Jehangir Bhabha and senior advocate Fali S.Nariman have brought honour to the country.
“The Union Government, taking note of the dwindling number of Parsis, has come up with ‘Jiyo Parsi’ campaign for the survival of the community. Likewise, the Government should come forward to save the Kodava community, which has given two Generals, 28 Lieutenant Generals, 5 Hockey Captains and other greats in different fields,” he said and added that he would urge the Union Government to extend the status and facilities accorded to Parsi community to the Kodava community as well.
Noting that Kodagu is a distinct district known for its rich forest cover, culture and geographical features, he said that Kodava culture, land and language was a unique one and the government should take appropriate measures for preserving this.
The MP also stressed for unity among Kodavas to get all due government facilities.
United Kodava Organisation (UKO) Convenor Kokkalemada Manju Chinnappa, in his address, said that the Talacauvery-Bengaluru padayatra, which was launched at Talacauvery on Sept. 18, has been undertaken to draw the attention of State and Union Governments towards their 18-point charter of demands aimed at development of Kodagu district and survival of Kodava race.
The demands include: Bringing a new law on the Kerala-model to check conversion of agricultural land into non-agricultural purposes; Subsidy of Rs. 10,000 per acre for growing paddy; Suitable amendment for replacing Paisari with ‘Takkamaye’ in Section 6 of revenue land schedule; Stop forced eviction of small coffee growers; Drop the Union government’s move to facilitate Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in coffee cultivation and Legalisation (Sakrama) of lands encroached for growing coffee.
As the padayatra reached Hinkal junction on Hunsur road yesterday, the office-bearers of Mysuru Kodava Samaja joined it and marched along with UKO members to Kodava Samaja in Vijayanagar I Stage where a stage programme was held later.
The padayatra team, which stayed overnight at the Samaja, resumed its march this morning. The team will stay for the night at Baburayana Koppalu in Srirangapatna taluk on Mysuru-Benglauru road. The padayatra will culminate in Bengaluru on Oct.4.
Karnataka Pradesh Hotel Owners Association President M. Rajendra, Mysuru Kodava Samaja President Moovera K.Kuttappa, Vice-President Balyamanda M. Nanaiah, Hon. Secretary Mandira P. Kalaiah, former President Mechanda M. Karumbaiah, former Secretary Kekada M. Belliappa and others were present.
Ponjanda Lovely Appaiah compered the programme.
MLC rues vanishing of Kodava race: MLC G. Madhusudan has regretted the dwindling number of Kodavas in their homeland, which gave hundreds of great warriors to the country.
He was speaking at a programme organised at Kodava Samaja in Vijayanagar here yesterday, marking the arrival of ‘Jabhoomi Baalo-2015’ padayatra to the city.
Appealing the Kodavas not to undergo family planning for the sake of survival of patriotic fervour in the country, Madhusudan expressed concern over the increasing tribe of selfish and anti-development families.
Stating that the migration of Kodava families to cities has resulted in Kodavas losing touch with their rich culture, the MLC called upon all Kodavas to stay in their homeland and strive for enriching the Kodava culture besides reviving the spirit of patriotism.
Noting that Kodagu district geographically resembles Shivalinga figure, the MLC said Kodagu is covered by rich forests and receives heavy rainfall.
Pointing out that Kodagu is the birth place of Cauvery river, which flows through Mandya, Mysuru, Chamarajanagar districts and Tamil Nadu before joining the sea, the MLC said that the river is the lifeline for crores of people. He called upon the expatriate Kodava families to return to Kodagu and strive for Kodagu to regain its past glory.
He also declared that he would extend full support for the ongoing agitation to demand development of Kodagu district and assured that he would raise issues concerning Kodagu district in the Legislative Council.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / September 28th, 2015
