Report: Silvester D'Souza
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur
Kundapur, Apr 18: "A village which was considered as backward is now famous throughout the nation. This is because of the efforts of Syed Abdul Bashu who has managed to transform it through his Green Valley Educational Institution. Shiroor has been selected for the model village development programme under the MP scheme. With the help of Bashu who has made sure that there is uninterrupted water supply in Shiroor and who has decided to give hundred cows under the ‘cow per house’ scheme, we will make this place and ideal one in the country. Along with the aid from MP’s funds, other avenues from state and union funds will also be explored," said Oscar Fernandes.
Shiroor has been selected under the Member of Parliament model village development programme. In the backdrop of the initiation of the programmes related to the development, a press conference was called at Green Valley hall. Oscar was speaking on this occasion.
"No one should be deprived of health, education and ration facilities in this village. Everyone has to be made self reliant here. The 'cow per house' scheme with the benevolence of Bashu is one of the many things planned in the process of making this village a model village," Oscar added.
"A connecting bridge under the railway bridge in Petekere with a cost of Rs 33 lacs, redevelopment of Petekere road with an outlay of Rs 10 lacs, a barrier on sea front at Dombe with the expenditure of Rs 5 crore, tourism development with a budget of Rs 94 lacs, multi-village drinking water programme with an outlay of Rs 33 crore, are the plans scheduled to take place in the near future. The plans are being initiated from today. These plans will help in overall development of the village," Oscar said.
Panchayat Raj and rural development minister H K Patil, forest minister Ramanath Rai, health minister U T Khadar, sports and district in charge minister Abhayachandra Jain, Law minister T B Jayachandra, MLC Pratap Chandra Shetty, MLA K Gopala Poojary, Green valley institution’s president and managing director Syed Abdul Bashu, Blossom Fernandes, former MLA Basavaraju, Taluk panchayat member Raju Poojary were present during the meet.
Plans to purify sea water to make it potable: Minister H K Patil
Minister for rural development and Panchayat Raj H K Patil flagged off the Rs 33-crore multi-village drinking water project on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, he said "We have sufficient resources but they are not being utilized to the fullest. Despite being close to the city, the coastal districts face acute water scarcity. If we take measures to purify the sea water to make it potable (drinkable), it will solve a major problem. When it can be possible in Singapore, why not in Shiroor? Discussions are on regarding ways and methods to convert sea water into potable water under rural development project, and everyone should support this."
He further said, "For any village to transform into a model village, the people need to support the government programmes. Large amount of fund is also needed if the model village project is to be executed to the fullest. The central government should grant Rs 5 crore to each village for amenities like uninterrupted supply of drinking water, underground drainage etc. I request Oscar Fernandes to put pressure on the central government in this regard.
"The state government too has initiated rural development project and each village chosen by the MLAs gets Rs 75 lac as grant for development projects. These projects will succeed if there is cooperation from the people," he added.
Shiroor to get veterinary hospital soon: T B Jayachandra
Minister for animal husbandry T B Jayachandra lauded Abdul Kader Bashu for donating 100 cows to the model village project and symbolically distributed certificates to 25 beneficiaries of his new scheme.
In his address Jayachandra informed that very soon, the long-pending demand for a veterinary hospital in Shiroor will be fulfilled and veterinary doctors will be appointed.
"There were rumours that the veterinary college planned to be set up in Kolya at a cost of Rs 1 crore has been shifted, but it is not so. The college will come up in Kolya itself. There is no need for any confusion in this regard.
Shortage of doctors to be resolved soon: U T Khadar
"A minimum 10-bed hospital will be established in Shiroor under the model village project, and Byndoor hospital will be upgraded on the lines of the district hospital. We will soon find a solution to the problem of shortage of doctors in the state," said health minister U T Khadar, adding, "People should give more attention to cleanliness and health. Everyone should taken precautions against diseases."
Abdul Kader Bashu's 'a cow for each household' scheme
Syed Abdul Kader Bashu, who has not only revolutionalised education in this region by establishing Green Valley National School and PU College, but has also undertaken several social causes too, on April 18 launched a scheme to provide 100 cows towards the model village project, so that those interested could rear the cows and earn a living. The scheme, aptly called 'a cow for each household', 100 beneficiaries will get free jersey cows. During the programme, 25 beneficiaries were symbolically given certificates. Apart from a free cow, the beneficiaries will also be given 50 kg of fodder. The cows are given on the condition that they cannot sell the cows under any circumstances.