Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)
Mangaluru, Aug 12: A youth from the Siddi community, who do not have contact of outside world as they live in forests, is getting ready in the city to be a jockey to take part in a national level horse racing, thereby becoming the first person from his community to do so.
Nithyananda Siddi (19), a resident of Kelashe forest of Yellapur in Uttara Kannada, was working as a daily wage labourer after discontinuing his education. Social worker Dinesh Holla brought him to Mangaluru and got him admitted to a horse riding academy in the city. Avinandan of the academy and former colonel of Indian Army, Aravind are training Nithyananda in order to take part in the state level horse racing.
Dinesh Holla organizes Vanachethana camps for children of tribals of Uttara Kannada who are deprived of fundamental infrastructure. He saw Nityananda, who was interested in art, brought him and got him joined to Prasad Art Gallery 10 months ago. Meanwhile, Avinandan of the horse academy wanted a Siddi boy for jockey training. Dinesh got NIthyananda admitted to a horse racing academy. Within a few months, Nithyananda has learnt almost all the tricks of horse riding. He is ready for the competition. In addition, Nithyananda trains children who come to the academy to learn horse riding.
Avinandan said, “We are getting Nithyananda ready for show jumping. This young man has got talent as well as the physical fitness. I have also taken him to Bengaluru and showed him how horse racing is conducted. If everything goes as per planning, this youth will achieve great heights in horse racing.”
Dinesh Holla said, “Siddi people are of African origin. They have the physical features and strength that is required for the sport. As the government does not give attention, this tribal community is deprived of opportunities. If they are trained properly, it is possible to bag Olympic medals in athletics too. Let Nithyananda’s achievement inspire other Siddi youth.”
Nithyananda is getting trained in painting also along with horse riding. Koti Prasad Alva of Prasad Art Gallery has agreed to train him through painting teacher Rashmi Acharya and Akshay. He has shown exemplary skills in painting too.
Avinandan is planning to open a horse riding camp in the forest area of Uttara Kannada for the Siddi tribe. He says that this will enable Siddi youth to get good jobs as well as chance to compete in competitions.