Spare People’s Park:

CADA premises is alternative for City Central Library, say citizens

Citizens request government to construct a modern library at Old Palace Office, that is present CADA office building, instead of constructing at the proposed People's Park.

MGP former President Chandraprakash has proposed CADA office as an alternative location for the City Central Library, Mysore and saving People's Park from total extinction. 'City Central Library is celebrating its Centenary and the proposed building is also a Heritage Building, Centrally located and most suitable for the City Central Library,' he stress.

'People’s Park is an important lung space in the centre of the city. Once a very large park, it has been losing its park area to tennis club, government school, horticulture office and other reasons as well. Coming up of suburban bus stand, several large luxury hotels and commercial complexes have resulted in very heavy vehicular traffic around the People’s Park.'

'Library should be centrally located and should have adequate space within the building to provide for not only book stacks, periodical displays but also facilities like modern digital network, hall to make paper presentations and Xerox. With using CADA building we can save large amount of money to be spent for constructing library at Park, lung space of park and even there will be no parking problem,' he adds.

If the government is genuinely interested in giving the city a centrally located City Central Library, it can get the ground floor of this building vacated by shifting some of these offices in CADA to the first floor. Thereafter, ground floor can be made available to the City Central Library by making minor modifications for public conveniences. Even assuming the government goes ahead by violating the Parks act, more than likely there is every chance it may get demolished later,' he warns.

Library in the People’s Park

In early eighties Mysore City Municipality [MCM] had taken a decision to locate City Central Library in the People’s Park. The very process and the technicalities of this decision have been under cloud of suspicion.

Thereafter, The Karnataka Parks, Play-Fields and Open Spaces (Preservation and Regulation) Act 1985, came into operation in1986 and the decision of the Mysore City Municipality also became legally questionable.

Construction of City Central Library in People’s Park is going to be a monumental mistake and also an environmental disaster. Such a step will be legally questionable. Also with ever increasing congestion in this part of city centre, as elaborated above, it would be futile to expect the users of library to venture to visit this library purely for the reading pleasure.

Readily Available Suitable Place

Right behind the City Palace and beside Sanskrit Pathshala, there exists erstwhile Palace Office building. It is a double storied building. It is located amidst a large open space. It is genuinely central location in the city. Since the city bus stand is located close by it is also easily accessible to a large number of citizens of the city from all the residential layouts, without any special effort.

At present the this huge building is being occupied by Department of Co-operative Societies, Office of MLA, horticultural department office, being Command Area Development Authority [CADA] and a few more government departments. Surely some of these departments might have outlived their utility and are there only because they were located there during their heydays.

Scarcity of stone has become cause of worrisome among sculptors

Sculptors are facing severe hardship with non availability of wood and Krishnashila stone, an special variety stone used for sculpting. Though there is good demand for the sculptures in market, and quite a good number of youngsters are showing keen interest to learn the carving work, scarcity of stone has become cause of worrisome among artists.

With one sq cubic of stone is being purchased from Rs 800 to Rs 1000, the sculptures have become very expensive and even the professional sculptures are facing hardship to provide training.

Sculptor B Shyamasundara Bhat says: 'We have to shell out more than Rs 800 to purchase a stone which was available for just Rs 50 five years ago. Its high time government should make stone available for artistes, and lift the ban. Earlier from 30 mining units we used to get the stone, now we have hardly two.'

56-year-old Wood Sculptor M Ramamurthy from Bengaluru said that they are facing acute shortage of Shivahonne (Shivani), which was available abundantly few decades ago. Most of them are exporting the wood from other parts of state, and the species grown largely in Shivamogga needs to be promoted considering the livelihood of hundreds of artists engaged in sculpting works.

Around 15 sculptors from across state are carving wood, stone at the ongoing Sculpture camp on Kalamandira. They are creating contemporary, modern, traditional, architect designs on wood and stone.

Mysoreans reject New Education Policy

A strong objection was raised for the draft of New Education Policy (NEP) and was rejected by civilised citizens of Mysuru here on Monday. Child activists, education experts opined that the policy stress on vedic culture, and there is components of 'communalism', commercialisation and no scope for value and constitution.

At the discussion on NEP jointly organised by Kannada Kriya Smithi, Progressive Thinkers Association, PUCL and various other associations, they opined that the Modi government is attempting to saffronise the education system by completely changing our education system.

Educationist Sripad Bhat opined that: 'Education has reached dead end today. With saffronisation, privatisation and globalisation in education system we will be facing lot of problems. There are monism in framing the draft and constructive approach is not clear. Its high time people have to read between the lines and strongly object the draft policy.'

Political Analyst Prof Muzaffar Assadi opined that NEP has become an hybrid policy; propagates Hindutwa and like an M.Phil gazette.

The policy will become a religious / caste policy or a policy of a parivara or a political party policy, and not an centric policy. Learning outputs are not mentioned properly, he added.

'Government aiming to centralise the power in education system and the draft copy highlights the vedic culture, and there are many hidden agenda. Backward, dalits, tribes will be severely affected. Yoga and Sanskrit have been made mandatory and the 43 page report of NEP contents most of the points in Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA),' he added.

'The sad part is most of the policies without any debated have been passed and theNEP is a big threat for the future of the country. We will be facing lot of problems if the policy is amended and the rate of higher Education will also come down drastically,' he warned.

“The NEP speaks about culture and not values. People should take a serious call and look into its not implemented. It suits the Corporate needs and like ancient period education will be only for Brahmins, which will be a big threat for society. There is need of framing our own education policy on lines of Tamil Nadu for the survival of language,” opined Prof Panditharadhya.

Social Activist Pa Mallesh said that a state-level meet has to be organised and youngsters in large has to be made aware about the conspiracy and hidden agenda of government. He gave a call for people to raise voice and look into the policy is not implemented.

Suggesstion

* Studying the reason for increasing drop outs the policy has to be framed.

* Equal education system has to be introduced

* To think of large number of youngsters pursue higher education

• Hindi has to made as link language

Toilets yet to be constructed, whereas declared 'Open Defecation Free'

Though Mysuru city lacks sufficient number of public toilets compared to the city's population, it has already been declared as free from 'open defecation'. At present there are 69 public toilets in city, and 10 community toilets. Freshly tenders have been invited to construct another 425 individual household toilets; 6 community toilets and 30 public toilets.

If one visits the public toilets the ground reality is different as most of these toilets do not have proper facilities for women (no toilet paper and dustbins for disposable napkins) completely lack in hygiene and are not well maintained. As a result most women avoid using these toilets and the rural folk prefer to defecate openly.

People can be seen defecating openly in several parts of the city, including a couple of slums areas such as Vidyaranayapuram, lane adjoining the Landsdowne building, surrounding to busy Devaraj Urs Road, Udayagiri, Kesare, Mandi Mohalla, Hosabandikere in the heart of the city, the vegetable market on Mahatma Gandhi Road, foot hills of Chamundi and also near famous tourists places.

MCC Health Officer Dr Ramachandra said that tenders have been floated to construct new toilets and justified the award given to the city saying that it was given only after conducting a complete survey of the Mysuru city and the proposed construction of toilets.

Mysuru Grahaka Parishat former President Chandra Prakash said: 'Declaring Mysuru as free from open defecation is a big joke and surprise. It's just a self glorification by officials instead of taking honest measures to improve quality of the already existing public toilets and make them more people friendly.

“People can be seen urinating and defecating openly in public places, and more such can be witnessed in heart of the city, Doddakere Ground opposite to Palace. The problem is not solved by constructing more number of toilets. There is a long way to go to keep our city clean and make it a model for others. With the sorry state of affairs here, the plight of other cities just can't be imagined ,” said Roopa, a lecturer at a private college.

Mayor Bhyrappa admitting that open defecation is existing in city, said that soon more toilets will be constructed. He claimed that only tourists and migrant labourers who come to city from outside defecate openly, but not the local residents, mainly truck drivers and those who come for daily wage like coolies and workers.

“Most the people won't use existing public toilets. There is a need to bring a change in their behaviour. Some of them hesitate to pay Rs 1 or 2 to use the urinals. With the declaration free from open defecation our responsibility has increased. In the next couple of months, programmes will be chalked out to educate people and make city completely free of open defecation. There is a need to impose fine of Rs 100 from those defecate openly,” adds another MCC Officer. 

Nirmala Saulabhya:

First Green Public Convenience Facility atop Chamundi Hill 

India's first Green Building facility for Public Convenience (Toilet)  has been constructed atop Chamundi Hill. The facility 'Nirmala Saulabhya' will be a carbon positive and water positive with 10 KLD water treatment plant and rain water harvesting. With this, tourist who were complaining of lack of hygienic toilet facility atop Hill, can heave a sigh of relief.

Thanks for the initiative of Confederation of Indian Industry, Mysuru supported by Automotive Axles Ltd and Meritor India who have come out with Public Convenience Facility on the lines of Airport spending Rs 1 core.  

The new facility is having separate toilet facilities for both men and women. There are 16 urinal points for men and 15 toilets for women; apart from regular toilet, and two western toilets have also been set up. Apart from this child care facility including breast feeding is also provided.

Separate toilet facility is also provided for handicap persons. There are no expenses for power as the entire building will be lighted with solar power. A sewage treatment plant which enables to reuse seventy percent of the water which are used has also been set up.
The entire building is architecturally designed for green building; there is no need for light during day time.

As per the MoU, they will be maintaining the building for first five years. 6-7 persons will be looking after the building and Rs 2 and Rs 4 will be charged for using the facility. Similar four toilets to come up at Mysuru Zoo, Karanji Lake, Mysuru Palace and the proposed Tourism Plaza which is coming up inside Exhibition ground.

Addressing the media persons here on Wednesday, CII  Chairman Dr N Muthukumar said that after going through all these facilities, Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), the green building certifying authority in the country, after inspecting the building a week back recognised the building as 'Green Facility'.  

'After Mysuru awarded cleanest city tag, we decided to construct public toilet at tourist places. Our objective is to partner with the Government in making Mysuru the first Tourist Friendly Destination in India,' he added.  

The salient features of the facility:
* 5KW Roof Top Solar Power connected to Grid making it Net-Zero Energy Building
* Rainwater Harvesting
* Water Treatment Plant- 10KLD Water Treatment Plant is installed the recycled Water is reused for flush
* Low-flow fittings to Conserve Water
* LED Lighting System
* Drinking water - RO Water Purifier with Chiller
* 32 Toilets for Men & Women
* Baby Care & Toilet for physically challenged
* Four more toilets to come up at tourist destinations

KONSPA to promote Mandya farmers to grow millets

With farmers facing severe hardships due to lack of rains along with recent water crisis, Karnataka Organic, Natural and Swadesi Product Association (KONSPA) has come forward to promote farmers to grow Siri Dhanya (Millets).

Farmers, producers, dealers to approach farmers in cauvery catchment area, specially in Mandya and distribute free seeds to the interested farmers to grow millets. A group of farmers in the association who are already earning profits by growing millets are touring the districts to educate farmers.

Over the past four months the association has even entered into a buy back arrangement to purchase the millets with more than 150 farmers in Hunsur and Chamarajanagar. The organisation is receiving calls from farmers as far as Tumkur, Dharward, Gadag, Chitradurga, Hunsur, Chamarajanagar to enquire about growing millets.

Unlike paddy and sugarcane which are water intensive crops, millets can be grown with least amount of water. They grow well even in dry lands with scanty rainfall. In one acre of land, 8-10 quintals of millets can be grown and the water requirement is only around 1000 liters. In case, there is acute shortage of water they can use sprinklers and the crops can be harvested within a short span of three months. The expenses is also meager to grow millets including processing. Hardly farmers spends around Rs 5,000, while they can earn around Rs 25,000 per acre.

To promote marketing facilities for the products, members are visiting schools, colleges and private companies to create awareness about health benefits of using millets in their daily diet. They say, as siridhanaya are rich in fiber, gluten free and low GI index, it is the best solution to most modern day diseases. With processing of millets is another major problem and the association is educating farmers on how to process millets by using a ordinary mixer grinder.

Association President Padmaja said that we will be encouraging farmers in dry land areas to grow crops that are best suited for those regions. This is a step towards encouraging sustainable living in villages through cropping practices. 'We want every house hold to use millets as a regular part of their diet, which is good for health and we can control increasing incidnets of diabetes, cardiac and other major ailments,' she adds.

HD Kote Taluk farmer Dorai said that due to failure in monsoon and depletion of ground water it has become problem to grow rice, wheat and sugar cane. Farmers can sustain if they grow millets in this time of water crisis. Seeds are being distributed free of cost and Rs 38 is given for 1 kg millet.'

Gundlupet farmer Srinath Shetty said: 'Farmers should start growing millets as these are rain fed crops. About 9 varieties of millets are promoted to farmers to grow, of which 6 varieties can be used as substitute for rice, and three varieties to prepare balls similar to ragi balls. Its high time government should take measures to encourage farmers through NGOs.'

NGO Sahaja Samrudha founder Krishna Prasad said that government should take initiatives to promote millet cultivation, so that global warming, solutio for health, and even farmers sustainability can be seen.  

Demand to learn 'artistic yoga' and 'rhythmic yoga' shoots up

The demand to learn the newly formed 'artistic yoga' and 'rhythmic yoga' is gaining popular in Yoga capital for the last couple of years. The Yoga enthusiasts are now hoping it may soon get an entry into Asian Games and eventually into Olympics, with Yoga has been given status of sports. Thus has generated lot of interest in budding yoga enthusiasts.

The people are also showing interest to learn 'artistic yoga' and 'rhythmic yoga' because of the attractive dress, music, body movements and style. There are hardly around five centres in the city where presently rhythmic and artistic yoga are being taught.

While Rhythmic yoga is performed by two people, Artistic Yoga can be performed both individually and in doubles. Select Asanas, postures and expressions with aesthetic beauty will be given prominence. While, the response for 'Flow Yoga', introduced this year, which will be performed by group of five is slowly catching up.

Ganesh a yoga coach at Mysore Vivekananda Yoga Education and Research Institution Coach said that alongside the regular yoga exercises performed on floor, the demand for learning other forms of yoga is on the rise. “We are expecting Yoga will be included in Olympics in days to come, and there is a big opportunity for Indians to take part in the events. With Mysuru already being Yoga Hub, we hope in the days to come more number of foreigners will also come to Mysuru to learn Yoga,” he added.

'So far ten forms of performing yoga was popular. The other forms of yoga are very attractive. Similar on lines of swimming, other formats are catching up in Yoga, 'adds another Coach Bhaskar.

A 13-year-old girl from the city, H Kushi, who has mastered various forms of asanas in yoga and has given performances at international level says her dream is to represent in Olympics and win a gold medal for India.

Kushi, an 8th standard students of St Joseph Central School, started practicing yoga to get rid of breathing problem. The first prize she won for performing yoga, motivated her and take a decision to become yoga teacher. She has been practicing yoga for the past three years and in the coming days she wants to concentrate more on meditation, pranayama and perfection of asanas.

Kushi who has to her credit more than 35 gold medals, 20 silver medals, is the daughter of Hema Chandra, an employee at RBI and D Kumudha. She has represented at the 6th Asian Yoga Sports Championship organised by VIET an International Sports, JSC, Vietnam. She has won four medals (two gold, two silver) in the championship held from September 3 to 5.

Prayag, another youngster who is practicing yoga said, after the announcement that yoga has been recognised as Sports, he is dedicating more time to practice yoga and desires to represent India in Olympics or Asian Games.

This year flower show will be aesthetic blend of art and utility

Are you curious to learn how to convert waste into resources, and use them as a decorative items in houses. Then don't miss an opportunity to visit this year DasaraFlower Show, which will be an aesthetic blend of art and utility.

District Horticulture Society and Department of Horticulture, keeping women and children as centric have chalked out several themes for this Dasara. Using waste bottles, almariahs, shoes and other discarded items one can learn how to increase the green cover of the house.

Different concepts and ideas on how to decor balcony using pebbles, wood, gardening, attics, landscapes, roof gardening, new modules of container gardening, creation of small garden, and other elements of gardening, Ikebana flowerarrangements, flower spell ideas, bird bath, usage of flower containers, varieties offlower bouquets arrangements to motivate interested women to take up their carrier as florists and also to spread light on how to décor houses.

Hectic preparations are already under the way at sprawling 10.6 acres of land in Kuppanna Park. More than 30,000 wide variety of saplings have been planted a month ago, about 35,000 pot arrangements will be done. Artistes from across state will be provided a platform to showcase their talent at vegetable carving, fruits carving and floral arrangements. Every day musical nite programmes have been planned.

Speaking to Express, Horticulture Senior Assistant Officer GD Dinesh Kumar said that the flower show will be on lines of national standard, and will be very informative for women. 'With several new themes we hope large number of visitors will be attracted,' he added.

Center of attraction

Iconic Gate Way of India will be the center of attraction this year. Using more than 2 lakh roses three dimension Gate Way of India measuring approximately around 21 feet height, 22 breadth, and 10 feet length will be created. Amar Jawan Jyoti located near the India Gate will be recreated to pay tribute to martyrs and floral replica of Thejas Aircraft will be another cynosure of eyes.

Noodles replica of visionary personalities: 

To mark the 100 years celebrations of D Devaraj Urs and remembering MH Marigowda, familiar as 'Pitamaha' of Horticulture Movement in Karnataka their noodles replicas have been planned under Gazebo concept. Artiste Shivalingappa S Badiger from Hubli to create the noodles replica.

KIDS CORNER: Barbie Girl, White Peacock, Vintage car flower arrangements, Disney World and Dholakpur Team head by Choota Bhim, Crazy Gardening are being exclusively meant for children. In all, this year dasara flower show to sport a new look with the introduce of lot of novel ideals. 

eom/mys/rathna

They keep our surrounding clean, but wont get due respect

'Kasa'... 'Kasa'.... is how most of people address pourakarmikas who keep our surrounding clean. Caste discrimination, untouchability, addressing them unrespectfully are the societical issues faced by pourakarmikas who collect wastes from households daily.

Sharing their pain with Express, a couple of pourakamikas said that they are addressed very rudely. They say very few people address them respectfully, smile to them, and consider them as human beings.

While some people hand over the waste standing from a distance, there are even residents who refuse to handover the waste basket to the pourakarmikas. Few of the residents have kept a separate dust bin in a corner of a house compound, in which they dump the garbage of house, and the pourakarmikas have asked to empty the container daily. They wont take the dustbin inside house, as it will be touched by pourakarmikas.

Pourakarmika Vishnu said: 'When we go to collect garbage, few residents treat us badly and we wont even get due respect. They literally dump waste on roadsides and ask us to clean taunting us it's our job.' MCC Pourakarmika Association President Mara who also admitted that they are treated badly, and untouchability is practiced, said that there are few households who throw waste tied in a cover, so the dustbins are not touched.

Tamil Nadu People's Watch Director and Amnesty International Germany's human rights awardee Henri Tiphangne said that unless conscious of equality is really inclined in us and all forms of discrimination are fought nothing else will change the situation.

“Whatever legislation we bring, as long as people believe they are not equal, they will find different ways on importing their superiority on others. The most important thing is to make people understand one is equal. The equality does not come only by economic status, it comes by understanding equality. Cases should be booked against such people and they have to be punished. Let people address the pourakarmikas by their name or 'Sir',” he added.

While the civilised citizenry say that the mindset of the people of should change and address pourakarmikas with due respect. They opine a general name has to be given for pourakarmikas or they should be given a name badge tag so that the people can address them by their names.

Safai Karmachari former Chairperson Narayan said that popurakarmikas have to get their due respect and there is need of providing name badge, uniform for even pourakarmikas working on temporary basis. Pourakarmikas should complain against households who fail to give due respect, he added.

Century nearing Mandi Market needs maintenance

 

Mandi Market, another landmark in the city constructed using brick and lime mortar needs maintenance. The building constructed during the Maharaja reign of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar has been neglected and needs thorough maintenance.

There are around 160 shops in the market, including 20 mutton and a fish stall has been constructed recently in the premises. Its estimated that the building is constructed nine decades ago that is in 1927. The specialty of the market is mutton stalls have been constructed within premises, which is not unlike VV Market and Devaraja Market.

The buildings is either whitewashed nor repaired regularly. The turret clock atop has stopped working long ago. Even inside the market there is no maintenance. The tiles on the floors has not been relaid and have become slippery. There are several instances when both vendors and customers to the market have fallen down which gets more frequent during rains. Vendors allege this makes people avoid visiting the market, and the visitors have to keep every step carefully.

The wall bordering the Pattedhar Street is in a very dilapidated condition and needs urgent plastering. The shops inside the market have never been painted and completely lack maintenance. The roofing of the shops are laid with mud tiles and the danger is less. The shops have been built with a thick wall for a gap of 10 feet, which has made the building construction strong.

Irfhan Baigh who is a tenant for the past 40 years said: 'The building is in a good condition when compared to other heritage structures in the city. But steps have to be taken to repair the structure at some places and if neglected it too may one day meet a similar fate like the Devaraja Market.

Mandi Market Association President Prem Kumar said that in order to save an heritage building it has to be maintained regularly. The major problem is the water seepage and measures have to be taken to maintain them well. Though we have approached the area Corporator several times nothing has been done. Daily nearly 900 to 1200 people visit the market, and the figures double in weekend. Fish Market, Toilet not has been inaugurated even construction of two years. Public anyways have started using toilet, but fish market they have not get permission,' he adds.

Mysuru City Corporation Sergeant Siddaraju said that they collect Rs 260 to Rs 1100 rent from the shop, and in phase manner plans are on card to maintain the buildings. He added soon fish market will be inaugurated.

Rodents menace

The menace of rodents has become major cause of worry for the traders.

Hundredss of Rat burrows can be witnessed in the market, and no measures have been taken to control them. The traders say along with seepage of buildings, menace of rodents is posing a big problem for them. Around 40 shops are vacant in the market and it has become home for rodents.

Suresh Babu, who is doing business from six decades say: 'Rat burrows pose a big threat for foundation of building, and its high time the officials should take measures to control them. Most of the shop owners are shelling out form their pockets to concrete the rat burrows in front of their shops, but they say its not a permanent solution.'

Highlights

* Mandi Market lack maintenance

* Tenants say if maintenance neglected it too may one day meet a similar fate like the Devaraja Market

* Plans were on card to demolish Mandi Market and Vani Vilas Market, and construct a milti storied building, including parking facilities and retaining the heritage value.

Children to celebrate eco-friendly ganesha festival

 The practiced skit to perform street play, made the students of Vidya Vikas Education Trust to take a bold step to celebrate the ganesha festival in a ecofriendly manner. Thanks for the teachers who took initiatives of spreading the message about the harmful effects on environment after PoP idols are immersed.

It was all a month ago it was decided to state a street plays to create awareness among populace about celebrating eco-friendly ganesha festival. The children started to practice a skit. After taking part in the skit they have understood how the environment is polluted and have firmly said no for PoP idols.

They have asked their parents to bring eco friendly clay idols to home. Through staging play they have not only educated public, but have adopted in their life, and are educating, family and friends alike.

Student Hemanth and Amulya said: 'All these years were were placing PoP idols. Only after taking part in the skit, we came to know how we are spoiling the water bodies, environment in the name of festival. We have asked our parents to bring only clay idols, and parents have agreed. We have called our relatives and have asked to place clay idols.'

“Its learnt that we have spoiled the environment for higher extent. We have to conserve flora and fauna which are protected from centuries from our ancestors. Youngsters should take a call to protect the environment, water bodies, so that we can see tremendous change,” added public who witnessed the street play.

Teacher Radha said that two days they will be staging street plays in different junctions of city. 

In the ten minutes skit the children highlighted the environmental hazards caused by Plaster of Paris (PoP) Ganesha idols. They presented how oxygen level falls with immersion of PoP idols in water bodies, therefore leading to death of fish, swan, increase in lead content in water content, decrease in depth of water body, and how people, environment are affected were explained in detail. A tortoise which comes out of water, curse people stating it can leave without even water, but think of fishes. 

Non availability of bamboo has affected livelihood of Medas

Medas, a small tribal community who eke out a livelihood by selling articles created out of bamboo will have a smile on their faces during Gowri-Ganesha festival following good business.

It has become severe hardship for this tribal communities to earn for livelihood, as the availability of bamboo is dwindling with bamboo have gone dry in forests. It has become a cause of worrisome for the community to find bamboo and earn for their living. Some of the families who want to continue their tradition, are trying hard to get the bamboo from nearby estates in Kodagu and farmers land where bamboo are grown.

Already most of the community people have spread over for coolie works in urban areas, and younger generation are working in factories. Due to this fear has gripped among the community people that they could not even pass on the skill to next generation.

The present population of the community is around 2.5 lakh in State. They were living in forest from several centuries and were creating artifacts using bamboo. In the last few decades the community have moved out of forest and they say they are deprived economically, social and educationally. Community Leaders say they should be brought under LAMP Society (Large Adivasi Multi-Purpose Society), so that they get nutritious food, avail benefits of Yashaswini, to get loans, and improve economic conditions.

Speaking to Express, Medas Community Head Ramanna said: 'The government should encourage the last few remaining tribals to continue their skills by providing them with good marketing facility for bamboo products and measures should be taken to provide skill development training.'

A family of 60 from Nanjangud have spread in Agrahar Circle, creating bamboo mora say: 'Getting bamboo itself is a big challenge. We don't know any other job. For a matured bamboo we are paying Rs 400, and we have to pay extra for transportation. A decade ago we were purchasing bamboo for less than Rs 60. Its high time government should motivate farmers to grow bamboo in large, so that a community will survive.'

“Most of the money we earn in a year is only during the ganesha festival, with demand for handmade mora, which is used to give traditional bagina for married women and bamboo stems for erecting pendals goes up. We create mora and supply for Bengaluru, Ramanagar, Mandya, Chamarajanagar,” added Saraswathi.

75-year-old Thamaih a third generation engaged in Bamboo work said that Bamboo cultivation should be motivated among farmers, or else lakhs of people livelihood will be affected. There is demand for Bamboo products, with non availability of bamboo we are not able to met the demand and there is need of providing marketing linkage.

Karnataka Rajya Moola Adivasi Rakshana Vedike Secretary Vijaya Kumar said that State Tribal Research Institute should provide technical training for the community people, and provide them with jobs, so that the tradition of making handicraft from Bamboo will continue for next generation.