Mounesh Vishwakarma

Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal

Bantwal, Jul 23: “It has been 25 years since we came to Narankodi Colony. We still do not have land records in our hands. The borewell drilled for us is not in working condition, and the road remains incomplete,” lamented a tribal woman named Maire. These concerns were attentively listened to by the taluk tehsildar, while district information officers and local journalists were also present as witnesses.

This rare scenario unfolded in Narankodi Colony, Bolanthur village, Bantwal taluk. On Tuesday, as part of the Journalism Day celebration organized by the Bantwal Taluk Working Journalists Association and Press Club (Regd) Bantwal, in collaboration with the Department of Information and Public Relations, Mangaluru, a program titled "Awareness and Assistance for Tribal Development" was meaningfully conducted. This event shed light on the real lives and basic infrastructural issues faced by six tribal families residing in the colony.

Maire shared her grievances, stating that two families are not receiving proper food distribution. A high school girl from the colony attends Kalladka Shri Ram Vidya Kendra. Her house has been newly constructed with the assistance of the local MLA for building a sit-out. She mentioned that they engage in basket weaving and go to the forest to collect materials for their craft. She also mentioned the need for the Sanjeevini group to expand the existing shed to securely store the handicrafts.

Another woman from the colony is currently working as an ASHA worker. Some residents work as daily laborers, while others are involved in the creation of handicrafts.

Addressing the grievances, Bantwal tehsildar D Archana Bhatt assured, “I will review the opportunities for granting agricultural land to the tribal community in Bolanthur village and make maximum efforts. We will also look into the issue of food kits not reaching two families. I will discuss the expansion of the basket weaving shed with ITDP officials.” She praised the residents for maintaining their culture while integrating into the mainstream and promised to provide a suitable market for their handicrafts and respond to their requests for title deeds. She stated that the progressiveness of journalism ensures development and that responsible journalism yields excellent results. She commended the Bantwal Journalists Association for organizing a meaningful program and assured that she would respond to the demands of the people in Narankodi Colony.

Khadar Shah, senior assistant director of the Department of Information and Public Relations, Mangaluru, lauded the journalists' association for their work, stating it would open the lives of the colony residents to the outside world, and assured departmental support.

Sheena Shetty, director of Janashikshana Trust, noted that the journalists in Bantwal had set an example for the state by celebrating Journalism Day while addressing the pains of tribal families.

Srinivas Nayak Indaje, president of the Dakshina Kannada Working Journalists' Association, spoke about how the association's village visits had brought about several transformations in rural areas.

Other attendees included Krishna Mulya, director of Janashikshana Trust; Bhaskar Rai Katt, vice president of the district journalists' association; Prashanth Punjalkatte, president of Bantwal Taluk Working Journalists' Association; Prashanth, revenue inspector of Vitla; staff from revenue and health departments; and members of the journalists' association. Health checkups were also conducted during the event.

With the support of Prashanth Punjalkatte, president of Bantwal Taluk Association, rice was distributed to the tribal families. Janashikshana Trust distributed copies of the Constitution and medicinal plants. The program commenced with a welcome address by Mounesh Vishwakarma, general secretary of the Bantwal Taluk Working Journalists' Association, and concluded with a vote of thanks by journalist Kiran Sarpadi. Journalists Venkatesh Bantwal, Ratnadev Punjalkatte, Ganesh Prasad Pandelu, Harish Mambadi, Ramesh K Poonacha, Kishore Peraje, and Chandrashekhar Kalmale were present.