Yogesh K Porwar & Siddarth Sethia
M
andya is More than India: Bommai
Mandya:Alongside the freedom struggle, Mandya district has made a significant contribution to the unification of Karnataka.
Without Sahukaar Channayya and Kuvempu,Karnataka’s unification would not have been possible, said former Chief Minister and MP Basavaraj Bommai.
He was speaking today at the 27th annual Devaamma Indavalu H.Honnayya Social Service Award and H. Sharadamma and Kempaiah Student Award ceremony, organized in collaboration with the Cultural Trust and Mandya Karnataka Sangha, where he also presented the awards.
He said this is a rare and heartwarming event, where our history,tradition,and relevance come together with their future.The convergence of these three timelines makes this award ceremony special.
Under the leadership of Jayaprakash Gowda,who is known for his truthfulness and virtuous thinking, this event has gained great significance.
The former CM said Mandya itself is special.They say ‘Mandya is India,’ but in many ways, that is true. Mandya is more than India because it holds deep emotions.The lifeblood of any region is its emotions.
Buildings, roads, assets, and development are just one part of it—those represent civilization.But the feeling that this land is ours, that this soil is ours, is not a symbol of selfishness; it’s a symbol of love.
This feeling of love is what he see in Mandya.Because of this love, they engage in both struggle and affection. ” You love those who respond to you and struggle against those who don’t.This is what inspires me every time I visit Mandya,”Bommai added.
The BJP MP said many issues have been discussed here, but he won’t claim any of it as his achievement. There is a difference between a duty and a responsibility. What has been entrusted to him is a duty.
Going beyond that, to share with those in need and provide them shelter, is a task beyond duty. That is what completes the sense of responsibility.”
Recalling his time as the Irrigation Minister, Bommai said, at that time, he visited the KRS Dam within a month and personally inspected the safety report.
The engineers advised him not to go down to inspect, but he insisted. When the water level was close to +80, around 300 cusecs of water was leaking, and gunny bags had been placed there.
I questioned why water was being allowed to leak when we were fighting for every drop in the Supreme Court. They said it had been happening for many years, and the engineers advised against making changes, citing that it was built by the Maharajas and Sir M.Visvesvaraya and that it couldn’t be altered.
I couldn’t sleep for two days after visiting the site. Then I called the engineer and said that a decision would be made without any further discussion.
The factory that manufactured the gates in Mysore had shut down.After discussing with the team that installed the gates at Tungabhadra,16 gates were replaced.It was ensured that no water would be wasted, and the gates and dam were made safe.I take satisfaction in having done this work.
The farmers of this land give their sweat to Mother Earth,and when the water is added to their sweat,the land yields golden crops,”he said.
Bommai said his mother,who wasn’t highly educated, would often say in front of relatives that even after so many years of independence,the country hasn’t developed.She would say that the country will truly prosper only when the farmers are uplifted.
Just as a woman adorns herself with a green saree during a festival, Mother Earth will prosper when she wears a green saree of crops.Her words inspired him.
There was a great struggle for the construction of the Arvin Canal here.That’s the nature of Mandya’s soil. When the farmers’ association was protesting, he was advised not to approach them.
But since they were my friends,he went to meet them and understand their intentions.Within a week, instructions were given to construct the canal.The same spirit was seen in the family of Indavalu Honnayya.
The moment that thought came,he offered his heartfelt respects. It truly inspires him.The happiness that comes from a struggle is not present when power is attained.I too have fought for irrigation,and I believe that it is equally important to manage responsibilities when they are given”.
Bommai said Today,they have given the award to Ramegowda,who has made great achievements in the field of education. He has brought knowledge to the doorstep of homes through distance education.
The value of the award has increased because it has been given to him.Shailaja has worked for a long time. She said, ‘I will come even if not called, and I will come if called.’
That’s the nature of Mandya’s soil. She said that she took a salary but it wasn’t just for service. Some government employees believe that their job is about power, not service,” he added.
The MP said in the 11th century, a stone inscription from the Kalyana Chalukya’s 6th Vikramaditya says that ruling is different from administration.
Today, rulers are trying to administer. They think about where to place a Tahsildar or which DC to bring in. Thry are focusing on administration, but those who administer are trying to please politicians.
They look at which bank gives loans and plan their schemes accordingly, without thinking about whether it is necessary.
For democracy to be successful, they must do their own work sincerely and not worry about others. Shailaja has worked in this manner, and I offer her special congratulations.”
“There was a time when those with land ruled the world. Then came a time when those with money ruled. The tiny island of Great Britain established colonies in 130 countries.
The 21st century is the age of knowledge. Those with knowledge now rule the world. In a survey comparing Bill Clinton and Bill Gates, Bill Gates was found to be more famous”, said Bommai.
He said the amount of land is the same, but the number of people dependent on it has increased. Farmers’ children should be in all professions. For Mandya to be more than India, they must emphasize education.
Relationships are very important.He has always valued relationships. He is indebted to them for allowing him to spend time with his family. Life is just from the mother’s womb to the grave.
Swami Vivekananda said that death is not the end for a seeker; they live on even after death.The way Jayaprakash Gowda recognizes achievers and gives awards from achievers to achievers is commendable,” Bommai concluded.
Former Minister C.S.Puttaraju,BJP leader,Dr. Siddaramaiah,Indavalu H.Honnayya’s son Dr. H. Siddarappa,and others were present.
