Mangalore: More funds sought to develop birth place of Koti-Chennaya

Mangalore, Nov 11 (DHNS): Even as scholars and general public welcomed the government granting Rs five crore for the development of Padumale, the birth place of Tulu folklore heroes Koti-Chennaya in the annual budget, they also expressed the need for the government to release additional funds for the comprehensive development of places where the duo have left the footprints.

An interaction programme convened to discuss various possibilities of developing the birth place of Koti-Chennaya, at Garodi temple in the city on Sunday, witnessed general public and scholars expressing their thoughts before the elected representatives and the officers, on how to go forward with the development work.

Koti-Chennaya Aithihasika Kshetra Samvardhana Prathishtana, Padumale, President Raghunath Rai shared several plans of the Prathishtana to develop birth place of folklore heroes. It includes construction of huge statues of Koti-Chennaya at Sankamale, opening an art gallery, botanical garden in the name of Deyi Baidethi, theme park, preserve the records on the life history of the heroes and protect over 25 monuments related to life of Koti-Chennaya in Padumale, develop the roads leading to historical places.

Professor Gananath Yekkar said that Padumale has to be developed as a centre of tourism, worship, culture and research. Educational institutions imparting Garadi education has to be started as a part of the project, he said.

Form a committee

Sudhakar Suvarna demanded for the formation of a joint action committee headed by Puttur Assistant Commissioner comprising of representatives from Prathishtana, officers and Tulu scholars. “The work should be carried out in a transparent manner and a decision has to be taken on naming the monuments after an individual (donor), based on public deliberations.”

Puttur Taluk Panchayat former president Mohammad Badagannur suggested for acquiring social forestry land spread over 60 acre in Padumale, for the project purpose. Padumale, which had been mentioned earlier in VIII Std text books as the birth place of Koti-Chennaya, has been removed now. No textbooks mention about Padumale, hence an initiative has to be taken up to disseminate information about the life of Koti-Chennaya to youngsters, he suggested.

Puttur MLA Shakunthala Shetty said that Rs five crore granted by the government was not towards starting new development work in Padumale, but for preserving and protecting the monuments. Along with preserving monuments in Padumale, there is also a need to preserve the monuments in Panja and Yenmur.

The road leading to Padumale has to be developed before developing the sites which would require an additional fund, she stated.

Urban Development Minister Vinaya Kumar Sorake assured of considering some of the suggestions while preparing the action plan.

District-in-Charge Minister Ramanath Rai, Health Minister U T Khader and others were present.