Karnataka - Hassan   

They are ecstatic over the VIP visit

Shama Sunder

HASSAN: "It is our good fortune that the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister are coming to our house on Sunday," said Savithramma, wife of Venkatesh.

It is for the first time after the coalition government came to be formed that Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa will together be making an overnight stay at the same house as part of the former's village stay programme.

Srirampura village is bustling with activity.

Three helipads have been readied: one each at Arkalgudu, Basavapattana and Holenarsipur. If it rains, the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister would land at Holenarsipur and come to Basavapattana and then to Srirampura by road.

Mr. Venkatesh and his family, who stay at Srirampura, belong to the Sudugadu Sidda tribe.

The family was informed about the stay of the VVIPs on Saturday morning. Soon after that, Savithramma got into the task of cleaning the house.

The house was whitewashed also.

"It is our luck that the Chief Minister is staying in our house. We will not ask anything from `Dore.' His stay here is enough. What I want is the welfare of the village," said Savithramma.

Venkatesh and Savithramma have three sons. The eldest son, Ajay, is studying polytechnic at Gonikoppal. The other — Iyyappa and Jayasheela — are in high school at Dodda Magge, about 4 km away.

Venkatesh owns two acres of land, but that is not enough to take care of the needs of the family. So, he works as a farmhand.

This will be the 19th village stay by the Chief Minister and the first in Hassan district.

After Chamarajanagar, Arakalgud is the most backward taluk in the State.

Five deputy superintendents of police, 20 inspectors, 60 sub-inspectors and 500 constables have been deployed for security.

Temporary tents have been erected around Venkatesh's house. A generator has also been kept ready.

Deputy Commissioner K.H. Ashwathanarayana Gowda, zilla panchayat chief executive officer F.R. Jamaadar and Superintendent of Police Panduranga Rane are camping in the village.

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