Mandya’s ‘water warrior’ Kame Gowda passes away
Mangalore Today News Network
Mandya, Oct 17, 2022: Octogenarian farmer Kame Gowda from Dasanadoddi village in Mandya district, who was referred to as a “water warrior” by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his ‘Man Ki Baat’ programme a couple of years ago, passed away in the early hours of Monday.
The humble shepherd developed 16 lakes on a barren hillock at his village in Malavalli taluk from his savings. He also planted saplings on the hillock and nurtured them.
Describing him as a “farmer with an extraordinary personality”, Mr. Modi, during his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme in 2020, had admired the farmer’s resolve of addressing water shortage in his village by constructing small lakes.
CM tweets condolences
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai condoled the death of Mr Kame Gowda and applauded his contributions towards addressing water needs in his village. “I am saddened on hearing of his death,” Mr Bommai tweeted.
ಜಲ ಸಂರಕ್ಷಣೆ ಕಾರ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ತೊಡಗಿಕೊಂಡು ಸುಮಾರು15 ಕ್ಕೂ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಕೆರೆಗಳನ್ನು ನಿರ್ಮಿಸಿ ಆಧುನಿಕ ಭಗೀರಥ ಎಂದೇ ಖ್ಯಾತಿ ಗಳಿಸಿದ್ದ ಮಂಡ್ಯ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಯ ಮಳವಳ್ಳಿ ತಾಲೂಕಿನ ದಾಸನದೊಡ್ಡಿಯ ಜಲಋಷಿ ಶ್ರೀ ಕಾಮೇಗೌಡರು ಇನ್ನಿಲ್ಲ ಎಂಬ ಸುದ್ದಿ ತಿಳಿದು ಅತ್ಯಂತ ದುಃಖವಾಯಿತು.
— Basavaraj S Bommai (@BSBommai) October 17, 2022
1/2 pic.twitter.com/QRQoBUFqhc
Mr Bommai also recalled Mr Modi’s appreciation of Mr Kame Gowda’s efforts of developing ponds, in his ‘Man Ki Baat’ programme.
Minister in-charge of Mandya district K Gopalaiah also condoled the passing away of Mr Kame Gowda while hailing his efforts to conserve groundwater by constructing lakes to address water shortage in his village. The minister said Kame Gowda, who was honoured with Rajyotsava award and Basavashree award for his contributions to the environment, was known across the country because of his dedicated efforts towards conserving water.
The KSRTC had issued a lifetime free bus pass to Kame Gowda two years ago, recognising his water conservation efforts.
Courtesy: The Hindu