The Hindu : Front Page : Tale of 10 villages in MM Hills

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Tale of 10 villages in MM Hills

Muralidhara Khajane

People frustrated by unkept promises made by politicians

Though they grow some ragi and avare, they depend
on selling firewood to earn a living

Donkeys are the only mode of transportation for 10 villages of Male Mahadeshwara Betta

If any of the candidates contesting from Chamarajanagar Lok Sabha constituency wants to visit Padasalanatta village — which comes under the Male Mahadeshwara Gram Panchayat — there’s only one way: a 14-km trek.

The going is literally ‘uphill’ to the 10 villages of Tulasikere, Indiganatta, K. Kane, Padsalanatta, Mendere, Nedaganane, Nagamale, Kokware, Toukere and Doddane, for there is no road connecting them to the MM Hills.

These villages have no electricity connection, and no healthcare facilities. The villagers mostly use firewood, as they get only three litres of kerosene a month under the Public Distribution System (PDS). Though they grow some ragi and avare, they depend on selling firewood to earn a living.

Except Mendere and Nedaganane, the other villages have primary schools. Interestingly, some intrepid teachers trek through the dense forest to get to the schools; some stay in the classrooms. The students are mostly first-generation learners. But the nearest high school is in MM Hills, and over 25 children have to trek 14 km to get there.

Donkeys are the only mode of transportation for goods to these villages. Even teachers carry books, stationery and uniforms supplied by the government for children, and provisions to prepare food under the mid-day meal scheme on the back of the donkeys. The food is cooked with water drawn from wells.

Despite the hardships, the teachers are highly motivated and the pass percentage is satisfactory.

Over 3,500 voters will have to get to Haleyuru polling booth to cast their ballots; their demand for a polling station in Indiganatta village has not been met so far. “When we threaten to boycott the elections to highlight our plight, the authorities promise to address our problems. But they forget the promise after the elections,” says M. Mahadevappa, a member of the MM Hills Gram Panchayat.

The youths in the villages have left in search of livelihood and only the elderly and children remain. Lack of health care is a major problem in these villages. “We don’t have a Public Health Centre in any of these 10 villages. We have to carry patients and pregnant women in ‘dolis’ to MM Hills. Opening a hospital in Indiganatta will solve much of our problems,” says Puttathammadi, a villager.

People here are frustrated with the promises made by politicians in successive elections. “You tell us whom to elect in case we decide to vote,” says Mr. Mahadevappa in disgust.

Elections 2009 — Comprehensive coverage

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