Daijiworld News Network - Mangalore (GA) with inputs from Melisha Noronha
Pics - Ganesh S Perla

Mangalore, Nov 21: A public meeting of the coastal fisheries community and farmers' community was held at Nehru Maidan here on Tuesday November 21 afternoon.

The programme was jointly inaugurated by Thomas Cochery, leader of World Fisheries Forum, two persons (a male and a female) representing fishing community and two farmers (a male and a female).

K T Gangadhar, general secretary of Karnataka Raita Sangha presided over the programme. Sunny D'Souza, DK district general secretary of Karnataka Raita Sangha, Pramod Madhwaraj, president, Coastal Fishermen's Action Committee, Prof Rita Noronha, social activist and professor of Roshni Nilaya School of Social Work were the main speakers on the occasion.

All the speakers lamented the deplorable state of agriculturists and fisheries in the country.  They blamed the government that owing to excess importance to industrialization, these communities are losing not only their significance but even the daily bread.  "The coast of living has gone high while the gross earnings are coming down everyday," they said.

The gathered demanded the government not to give importance to SEZs which require thousands of acres of land.  "We also request the government not to include agricultural and sea products in the World Trade Organization treaty.  Fishermen should be provided with subsidy for the diesel while agriculturists should be allowed for agricultural seed production and distribution among themselves.  Cooperative societies must be established within City Corporation limits and the administration should provide place for direct sale of their products where middlemen have no entry," they demanded.

The programme began with prayer which was followed by prayer dance by students of Roshni Nilaya.  Later students of Ullal performed welcome dance which was followed by traditional fisheries dance.

Vasudev Bolur, general secretary of Coastal Fishermen's Action Committee welcomed the gathering while Moodbidri zone Karnataka Raita Sangha president Dhanakeerti Balipa proposed the vote of thanks.