Bidar: False notions among the people of south Karnataka that Bidar is a dry district have led to its backwardness, according to Agriculture Minister Bandeppa Kashempur, who is charge of the district. He was speaking at the annual State awards ceremony of the Karnataka Sahitya Academy here on Tuesday.

Mr. Kashempur said that many people in Old Mysore believed that Bidar suffered from perennial drought. Officials from south Karnataka often refused postings to Bidar, as they perceived them as a punishment. "All this affects our development," he said.

"Many people ask me if there is enough drinking water for everyone in Bidar. I keep telling them that the district has a pleasant climate, which is cool throughout the year. While the water-table may be shallow, the water itself is not brackish. Many senior officials in Gulbarga drink water brought from Bidar. However, they do not seem to change their views about it. I am tired of trying to change such wrong opinions," he said.

"I think that the film `Bara' (drought) made by M.S. Sathyu projected Bidar as an eternally drought-prone district. It was a good film, but it fixed a prejudice in the minds of viewers about Bidar that may be hard to erase," the Minister said.

Plea to writers

He urged award-winning writers and members of the academy to "spread the good word about the district". He also asked the writers to highlight the tourist spots in Bidar district.

Mr. Kashempur also pointed out that most of Bidar's people speak Kannada, despite the fact that the district borders Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.

The people here were unlike those in Kolar or Bellary, who speak other languages even if they know Kannada, he added.

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