Yashodhara V Bangera

Daijiworld Media Network - Moodbidri (MS)

Moodbidri, Feb 22: This is the time when the level of water goes down generally in all the wells of the district as the summer is about to set in. However, in a well at Paladka, near here, the level of water has risen considerably and caused surprise and curiosity among the locals. Many people are terming this as either a nature or divine miracle.

The water in the well that belongs to Sathurni and Veena D'Silva couple which is near the Paladka St Ignatius Church and Sri Kodamanithaya Kukkinanthaya Daivastana rose suddenly on Wednesday, February 20. The sudden increase in the level of water, which was expected to go down in few days time, has made the D'Silva family members happy.

This well was dug two years ago and is 50 feet deep. The level of water was about to reduce due to the onset of summer. However, on Wednesday, the level of water rose suddenly by a whopping 19 feet. The water level was stable at the same height on Thursday also. The level of water in all the wells in the vicinity of this area has completely gone down. The locals are coming in large numbers to see this miracle well.

Effect of Kanchbail dam?

The work of Kanchibail dam started two years ago at Puttige Kanchibail Erugundi under the guidance of parish priest of Paladka church. The dam was built at a cost of Rs 1 crore grant released by the government under the effort of the then MLA Abhayachandra Jain. This dam was inaugurated in the month of January 2019 by current MLA of the taluk Umanath Kotian. The Saturni family members feel that the level of water might have gone up in their well because of this dam, which was primarily built to supply water to the agricultural lands in Puttige, Kallamundkoor and Paladka villages. 

Saturni D'Silva was working abroad for many years. He had come back to his native place for good only recently and is doing agriculture now. He is a philanthropist also, who donates a part of his earnings to financially weak families of the village. The family members feel that the rising of level of water in the well might also be the result of philanthropic work done by Saturni. The Saturni family shares the water of their well with local people who do not have access to water. In addition, the family has built a huge trough near the well in order to feed the animals and birds. 

Amit, brother of Saturni D'Silva says, "My brother Saturni and I bought this land ten years ago and built a house. We are doing agriculture also on a small scale. During summer we face water shortage. Many people have also drilled borewells for the same reason. However, the sudden rise of water level in the well has surprised us and brought happiness also. We will share this water, which we feel is divine blessing, with the locals."