Mandya farmer thanks PM for lauding his rain water harvesting efforts

Mandya: Kamegowda, an octogenarian farmer from Mandavalli taluk of Mandya thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for lauding his efforts to dig 16 ponds in his village for rain water harvesting ahead of the monsoon.

The 83-year-old farmer was elated to know that Modi mentioned about his efforts for rain water harvesting by digging ponds at Dasanadoddi village

“Kamegowda ji, aged 80-85 has taken it upon himself to build new ponds in order to overcome the problem of water scarcity in the area. He has single-handedly dug 16 ponds over the years in his farm land and in nearby hill while taking his animals for grazing. Even though the size of pond is small, his efforts are huge,” Modi said in his weekly ”Mann ki Baat” radio programme on Sunday.

Today, the entire area has got a new lease of life on account of these ponds” Modi added.

He urged others also to practice rain-water harvesting to protect the environment.

A state water resources department official said, “Kamegowda is a source of inspiration for the people in the country, as he has been creating water bodies over 4 decades, which have turned the Kundinibetta hillock green and provide water for drinking and farming.”

The state government honoured Kamegowda with the Rajyotsava award in 2019 in recognition of his yeomen community service.