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`Bayaluseeme bagina' offered to Bhadra river

Staff Correspondent

It is the first time in many years that the Lakkavalli reservoir in Shimoga district is filled to the brim

CHITRADURGA: `Bayaluseeme bagina' was offered to the Bhadra at Lakkavalli reservoir in Shimoga district on Thursday.

Hundreds of people, mainly women from all over Chitradurga district, offered special prayers at the reservoir.

Around 900 people witnessed the offering of `bagina.' It is after a long time that the reservoir has been filled to the brim.

The Bhadra is considered the lifeline for farmers in the dry areas of Chikmagalur and Chitradurga districts.

The `Bagina yatra' began from Chitradurga on Thursday. The yatra started at Ramapura, a border village in Molakalmuru taluk on Wednesday and covered villages in Challakere, Hiriyur and Hosadurga taluks.

Upper Bhadra project

Shivamurthy Murugharajendra Swamiji, pontiff of Sri Murugha Mutt, flagged off the yatra at Mahatma Gandhi circle in Chitradurga. He wished the yatra well and hoped that the dreams of the people of the district would be realised soon.

`Shed opposition'

He explained the necessity of the Upper Bhadra project and asked the neighbouring districts to give up their confrontationist attitude with regard to it. The swamiji said that if there were any problems they could be sorted out through talks.

Speaking on the occasion, G.H. Thippa Reddy, MLA for Chitradurga, came down on leaders of neighbouring districts for opposing the project.

"Some leaders of the neighbouring district have said that they don't mind shedding blood for their cause. This talk is bad. We are all Indians and should live like brothers," he said.

He urged those opposing the project to understand the problem of the people of dry lands. "We are not stealing or taking away your water. We are only seeking our rightful share. The dry lands in Chitradurga and Tumkur district should also get water," Mr. Reddy asserted.

M. Jayanna, executive president of Chitradurga Zilla Neeravari Horata Samiti, said it was the duty of the Government to implement the project as 23 tmcft of water had been set aside for irrigating dry lands.

He also felt that programmes such as offering `Bayaluseeme bagina' were necessary to create awareness among the people of Chitradurga. According to reports reaching here, besides Mr. Reddy, A.V. Umapathy, legislator, H. Venkatesh and Rajanaik, former members of the zilla panchayat, were among those who offered `bagina' to the Bhadra at Lakkavalli reservoir.

Madara Channaiah Swamiji, Immadi Siddarama Swamiji and Shanthaveera Swamiji, and Kantharaju, president of Chitradurga City Municipal Council, also offered prayers to the Bhadra.

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