A SELF RELIANT VILLAGE

Yesterday I had been to Katukukke, a remote village of Kasargod, to preside over the 5^th anniversary celebration of the local Shri Subrahmanyeshwara Friends’ Club, Katukukke, which was co-incited with the Prathishta Vardhanthi of Shri Subrahmanyeshwara deity. Prize distributions to the talented youth, honouring the elderly local priest etc. are included in the programme list followed by a Tulu drama. Nearly three thousand village folk gathered all-around as it was a feast for them the entire night.

A tonic to go ahead...cash award..

Surrounded with hillocks and tributaries the way to Katukukke is a long and narrow country road with curves and culverts all through-out and covered by vast arecanut gardens and coconut palms, is really an un-polluted area from the point of city dwellers. The programme started around 8 p.m. and went up-to 10.30 p.m. The mass were eagerly waiting for the commencement of the entertainment drama.

Remembering the long and self-less service...

I spoke on the uniqueness of rural life and showed concern on the widening gap between villages and cities. “As villages are the primary units, we have to strengthen the villages first. Unless this is done, our goal of constructing a strong Nation will be a myth”, I said, and “if we strengthen the villages, our culture and language will also be flourished. Each village should be independent, resourceful and self-reliant. If so migration from villages to cities will be minimized and it will pave the way to all-round development” I stressed.

Shri Prakash Malpe, a social worker from Udupi and Shri Sachchidanand Khanderi, Chairman of Temple Committee was on the dais.