Unfolding of a  political drama

The mud road partly washed away due to the heavy rains

The reconstruction work of the Barkur Bridge has been suspended by the District Minister In-Charge Mr. D. T. Jayakumar.

“The Guddali Pooja held by M.L.A. Mr. Jayaprakash Hegde  was without my knowledge. He should have informed me before the pooja . The bridge should be demolished only after acquiring the required material and light vehicles should be allowed till such time”. He said in a press conference on Sunday.

He also added that the construction work should begin only after the rains  for the benefit of the public and  the local MLA has done this  to gain political advantage  . Mr. Deviprasad Shetty, Mr. Mattar Rathnakar Hegde, Mr. Nagaraj Hebbar and others were present at the conference.

Then the minister visited the site and said that an enquiry will be set for the delay in the reconstruction work.

Barkur Bridge Re-construction Work Begins

The much awaited and needed repair work of Barkur bridge near Brahmavar here was inaugurated by Brahmavar MLA K Jayaprakash Hegde by carrying out guddali puja on Friday June 18.

The bridge had collapsed last year and ever since traffic had been banned on the bridge.  A temporary mud bridge was constructed last year at an estimated cost of Rs 27 lac to aid the people and the two-wheelers.   Though the bridge was washed away by the river waters in the beginning it was re-constructed and the people were using the same thereafter.

"However, the bridge will be removed in one or two days now since the rainy season has already set in.  The vehicles especially buses will ply via Karkada-Kavadi till the bridge is constructed. The old bridge will be re-constructed at a cost of Rs 3.5 crore and will be ready for use by March 2006," said MLA Jayaprakash Hegde.

Once the repair works begin at the old bridge in a couple of days, no one will be allowed to move on the bridge till the construction works get over.  Till the bridge re-opens people will be ferried across.

The buses, which have permits to ply to Barkur, will now ply via Sastan-Saligram-Karkada-Kavadi bridge-Yedtadi cross to Barkur.  The buses coming from Shimoga and Sagar will go to Barkur from Saiberkatte and then use the Yedtadi cross-Kavadi bridge-Karkada-Saligrama-Sastan-Brahmavar route.

PWD Executive Engineer Suresh Shetty, assistant executive engineer Shridhar Murthy, Jagadish Shetty, Barkur gram panchayat president B Shantram Shetty, Handadi gram panchayat president Sheena Poojary, Hanehally gram panchayat president Ramanand Shetty, contractor Mohammad Kunji, president of Vidyavardhini Association, Barkur V L Roche and others were present on the occasion. 

Vedamurthy Venkatesh Bayari carried out the religious rites.

Latest on the Barkur Bridge

“The Karnataka Road Development Corporation has sanctioned a financial bid of Rs.3.5 crores for the repairing of Barkur Bridge and the work will be completed by next March” informed Mr. Jayapraksh Hegde, MLA, speaking at press conference held at Rama Mandir Barkur. By the end of March 2006, the Bridge will be ready for the vehicular traffic he said.

The Loff Constructions of Kasaragod has won the contract and the damaged bridge will be demolished from June 17^th and the repair work will be finished within 9 months. The alternative mud road will be retained halfway during the rainy season and will be completed again immediately after the rainy season. Vehicular traffic will be diverted Via Kavadi-Karkada road during these 3 months.

Busses have been arranged with the regular prices for the passengers plying via Karkada-Kavadi road and additional government busses also will be deployed for the use of students of school-colleges.

A new kind of technology will be used for the repair of the bridge for the first time in the history of  Udupi , informed  Executive Engineer   Mr. Suresh Shetty.  He also warned the public to keep at least 50 meters away from demolition work as there will be explosions.

Mr. Shantharama Shetty, President , Barkur Panchayath , Mr. Jayasheela Shetty, member, Jilla Panchayath,  Mr.Venkataramana Bhandari and Mrs. Eugene Quadros were present at the press conference.

Barkur has lost its pristine glory

Barkur, one of the most ancient port towns of Karnataka, is situated on the banks of River Sita. The town is about five kms to the east of the Arabian Sea coast. The delta of Sita had provided safe anchorage to vessels from countries far and near. Alupa rulers converted this commercial centre into a political centre by making it their capital during the 10^th-11^th centuries AD. It lead to the further development of socio-economic activities making it the centre of Tuluva culture. In later years the city became the provincial headquarters of Hoysalas and then the Vijayanagara empire.

The city was expanded with a new fort during this period. Further, Barakur witnessed the rule of Keladi Nayaks, Haider and Tipu of Mysore and the British.

The city had 10 extensions called ‘Keri’- each being named after its professional residents. Each ‘Keri’ had a tank and a number of temples. Tradition says that the king visited a temple every day, thus visiting all the temples of the city and on the last day of the year, he visited the most important Panchalingeshwara Temple. That day was the day of car festival of this temple situated in the old Fort area called ‘Kotekeri’.

As per the tradition, the city had 365 temples. Remnants of these temples can be seen even today. A few of them are now being renovated. Besides, there are ‘Bhutastanas’. There are remains of palaces and other constructions in both the fort areas.

The port town was a busy commercial centre almost from second century BC. Evidences of Megalithic and mesolithic ages have been discovered recently. The place yielded a little over 100 stone and several copper plate inscriptions. They belong to Alupa, Hoysala, Vijayanagara and Keladi periods. This place also has a very rich tradition. It is said that Emperor Vikramaditya ruled here and his golden throne is buried here.

Another account tells us about the ship building industry and foreign trade. The famous ‘aliya santana’ system which exists even today in the Jain and Bunt communities of the entire Tulunadu was introduced during his period. Barkur has lost its pristine glory.

Other important sites of this place: 1. Padarasa bavi (well of mercury) and ruins of Hinguladevi temple. 2. Old fort and palace area called ‘Simhasanagudde’. 3. Temples of Panchalingeshwara, Mahalingeshwara, Batte Vinayaka, Gopalakrishna, Someshwara (Siddeshwara) of Manigara Keri, Somanatha, Banashankari, Hattara Narayana, Mahalingeshwara & Bairavaganapati (Chaulikeri) Balagara Keri Mahalakshmi etc. 4. Vijayanagara Fort and Nandana Kote. 5. Island of Bennekudru.

How to reach Barkur?

Barkur is about three kms to the north of Brahmavara and about 12 kms to the north of Udupi, on the NH17. There are plenty of bus services from Brahmavar or Udupi. A tourist need to hire taxis from Barkur to go round the sites.

New extract  from The New Indian Express, Bangalore

Shri Brahmalinga Veerabhadra Durga Parameshwari Temple

The renovation of the Shri Brahmalinga Veerabhadra Durga Parameshwari Temple is completed at a cost of Rs.35 lakhs. The celebrations are in full swing from 17^th May fir the re-inception, Brahmakalashothsava, Annual Feast, Hore Kanike, Dhakkebali etc till 24^th May as informed by Mr. B. Shrinivasa Shettigar, Honorary President of the renovation committee in a press conference here. On May 18^th Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade from Dharmasthala took part in the re-inception and on 20^th May, Shri Vishveshatheertha Shripada of Shri Pejavar Mutth is expected for the blessings. Local MLAs, MPs, Government Officials and other dignitaries are expected to take part in the cultural programmes arranged everyday.

The temple is the “ moola” devasthana of the Padmashali community. Veerabhadra idol of Hoysala style is here along with the Shakthi Goddess Durga Parameshwari. According to the inscriptions found on the site Hoysala king Veeraballala Deva consented for the grant in the presence of senior queen Chikkayee Thayee in the year 1333.

Various committee members  C. Purushottham, Chandrashekar V.S., Savithri N. Shettigar, Kumbhashi Krishna Shettigar, Sanjeeva Shettigar, Narayana Shettigar, Jayarama Shetiigar, Yashoda Shettigar and others were present at the press conference.

BJP condemns ‘slow process’ in the repair work of the Barkur Bridge.

The Bharathiya Janatha Party leaders condemned the Governments ‘slow process’ in the repairwork of the Barkur Bridge at a press conference here. Speaking to the journalists , Dr. V. S. Acharya, MLA said  “ the alternate  mud road which was constructed at a cost of Rs.40 lakhs  will be washed away in another 10-15 days , once the Monsoon is set in. Government , PWD and local MLAs assured to get the bridge repaired within six months when it was collapsed and the survey was also done. But the repair work did not kick off due to the lethargic attitude of the Government and the concerned departments. Because of this the general public has to bear an extra burden of Rs. 3 lakhs per day in the rainy season”

“ The rainy season is round the corner and it is said that the Barges will be mobilized for the public use. But the location of the road and bridge is not suitable for the use of Barges. So reinforcing the damaged deck of the bridge with extra pillars and allowing light vehicles to pass through is the only alternative” said Mr. Shrnivasa Poojari , General Secretary , BJP Udupi District.

“ If the Government is providing a safe alternate arrangement for the vehicular traffic within one week , the BJP District unit will join with the public and start fighting for it” warned Mr. Shantharam Shetty, President , Barkur panchayath.

BJP leaders Mr. Arun Madhyastha, Mr. Karkala Raju Poojari, and Mrs. Sushila Chandrashekhar and others were present at the conference.

OBITUARY

Barge to cross the River Seetha?

It’s already 8 months and rainy season is just round the corner. But the troubled bridge over the waters of river Seetha is still not repaired.

There are signs of starting the repair process in this month as the Tender Calling process is completed. When the bridge was collapsed in the evening of 29^th July 2004, it was immediately inspected by the Secretary of PWD, and it was promised that the bridge will be repaired within six months. Local leaders and politicians promised of getting the bridge repaired before Monsoon. But now there are only signs of starting the process before the rains.

The alternate mud road which was provided at a cost of Rs. 30 lakhs will be demolished by May 15^th as there are chances of its complete washing away due to the heavy currents and floods in the river in the rainy season.

So it’s the round tour trip once again via Kavadi-Karkada or Saibarakatte-Kota to Udupi/Brahmavar again for the people of Barkur, Mandarthi, and Saibarakatte etc.

But in an important development, the leaders are thinking of providing Barges to cross the river. If it is true then it would be for the first time to use a Barge in the Dakshina Kannada coastal area. According to some sources, already two Government Barges are mobilized in this regard.

People around Barkur are agitated over the delay in the repair work. They are unhappy for the tiring round tour trip they have to take once again for the simple task of reaching Brahmavar. The Government Departments, local leaders and the representatives of the people have to provide the correct information to the people.

Brahmavar Sugar Factory Heading for Re-opening?

The question that is asked often has finally been answered by former chief minister of the state Veerappa Moily.  The question was about the sugar factory at Brahmavar  which has not been functioning for the last two seasons.  There were much speculations that the factory will be closed down for ever. 

But now after Moily announcing that a new package for overall development of the sugar factory has been sanctioned by the government a new ray of hope has dawned among the farmers and the people alike.  The sugar factory at Brahmavar was a dream come true for the sugarcane growers of the undivided District of Dakshina Kannada and even neighbouring Districts.  It even lived up to its expectations in the first decade.  But then began the downward slide from which the factory never recovered.  Year after year the production too slumped. However, neither the political leaders nor the co-operative giants bothered about it. 

Everybody tried to mint money from the ailing factory instead of revamping it.  The condition became so worse that some of the  farmers who supplied sugarcane have not yet been paid.  In recent times the managing board too was shuffled and re-shuffled a number of times.  But nothing happened. However, this year both the union as well as state governments have shown genuine interest to revamp the factory and the sanctioning of a package is a major step in this direction. The package includes the repayment of debts and the dues of the sugarcane growers and project of revamping the entire factory.

This was announced by Veerappa Moily in  a press conference here on Monday May 2.  He further said that a committee which includes State Apex Bank president M N Rajendra Kumar, Brahmavar sugar factory President Jayasheela Shetty, and senior officials Ramaswami and Gopalkrishna Gowda has been set up in this regard.

He said ,"The money allotted by the previous government would soon be released. A new project will be drawn up  for the further functioning of the factory.  Talks have been carried out  with the Union Minister Sharad Yadav.  The Union government has consented to contribute its share in the development of the factory.  The state government has also given green signal to sell the sugar that is in the stock."

During the press conference he also announced  that Varahi project which is undertaken to provide irrigation facility  for 38,000 acres of sugarcane growing land is under process.  Already Rs 22 crores have been been spent for the main dam and another Rs 12 crore for the duct. 

He however, made it clear that project has not been granted now because Deve Gowda had visited factory.  It was under process for a long time now.   Former Karkala MLA Gopal Bhandary,  District Congress president A M Gaphoor, Director of the administrative board of the Brahmavar sugar factory Jayasheela Shetty, Seva Dal president Ashok Kodavoor were present at the press conference. 

From Daijiworld.com

Renovation Of Shri Babbuswami Kshethra at Barkur

The  Fund Raising Drive for the grand renovation of the Kachur Malthidevi and Shri Babbuswami moolakshethra, at an estimated cost of Rs. 1.5 crores ,  took off recently at Barkur.

Shri Kshethra is the devotional  root for all the devotees and the “Moolasthana” for various Babbuswami temples spread around in many districts. The plan is to get the support from all the devotees and develop this place as the center for devotional activities , according to entrepreneur K. Rama,  President of the renovation committee.

B.S. Chennappa Mulki, J. Eeshwara, Narayana Master, Seetharama Kodikal, Raghurama Puthran, Thammayya Kinnimulki, Prabhakara Balkooru, Shashikanth, Sundara, Keshava, Sadashiva Yermal, Karunakar Master Malpe, Kamalaksha Barkur, Sanjeeva and other committee members were present on the occasion. Gokuldas Barkur, General Secretary welcomed the gathering and conducted the proceedings. Dr. G. Premadas Karkal proposed the vote of thanks.

Mass Weddings at Barkur

The Bhillava Seva Sangha, Shivagiri Kshethra, Barkur announced  ‘Free Mass Weddings’ on Sunday, May 15^th  at Abhijin Lagna Sumoohurtha as a part of the 8^th anniversary celebration of Brahmashri Narayana Gurumandira.

Every bridegroom participating in the weddings will be presented with Dhoti, Shirt, Peta and Shawl and the brides will get Saree, Blouse, Silver ring and Gold Mangalsuthra on behalf of the association. 100 guests from both sides are allowed to take part in the celebration.

Those want to take this opportunity to tie the knot, should register their names by 10^th May at the association office and obtain more details. They have to get the necessary papers from the Grama Panchayath and their guardians as announced by Mr. M. K. Palan, President and Mr. Vasanth Champadi, Secretary of the Bhillava Seva Sangha.

Old Students' Association formed in National Govt. College, Barkur

The general body meeting of all the old students of the "Smt. Rukmini Shedthi Memorial National Govt. First Grade College, Barkur" was held recently and  it was decided to form an Old Students' Association. As per the resolution adopted unanimously the following office bearers were elected for the year 2005-2006.

-Harry DSouza

Efforts to Revive Brahmvar Sugar Factory

Sugar factory at Brahmavar near here was the dream come true for the sugarcane farmers when it began functioning 2 decades ago.  It did do justice to the farmers in the initial stages.  Other than helping the farmers of the undivided district of Dakshina Kannada it had also been a blessing for many unemployed people of the vicinity. 

But over the years it got struck by a virus called politics which has laid it weak now. For the last few years factory has stopped functioning.  Even many of the permanent employees have quit the job after losing hopes that it will start functioning all over again.

But now there seems to be ray of hope as a committee to revive the factory has been set up.  The present president of the Brahmavar Sugar Factory Revival Action Committee Balakrishna Shetty is hopeful that soon the factory will start functioning if only the politics takes the back seat and the interest and welfare of the farmers become the central issues.

He has demanded the government to include the factory in the 'revival package scheme of the sugar factories', which was recently announced by the Union government. Speaking to the media here he demanded the government to declare both the coastal districts as 'low recovery areas' since these districts have only 9.5 percent of recovery rate for sugarcane grown in the districts.

The factory has stopped the crushing for the last 2 years due to the recurring loss and the non-payment of arrears to the sugarcane growers who supplied sugarcane to the factory. The total loss has been estimated to be Rs.7 crore whereas the arrears due to the farmers is Rs.3 crore.

Balakrishna Shetty said that the factory could be revived if all the arrears due to the farmers are sorted out and the factory is included in the revival package of the union government.  The committee has gained a boost by roping in former Prime Minister  and the present head of the Janata Dal H D Deve Gowda for the revival plan. 

He is expected to visit the factory on April 19 and will interact with the sugarcane growers, agriculturists, employees of the factory and the general public.  He will also hold several rounds of meetings with the concerned persons.

The action committee under the leadership of Balkrishna Shetty is expected to submit a comprehensive plan to Deve Gowda which will carry out a detailed report about the loss incurred, arrears due etc.

News : www.daijiworld.com

Excavations at Barkur  

The excavations are going on in Fort area of Barkur from the last two years by the Archeological Survey Department, and it is expected to complete the third phase by the end of January. Many historical facts have been unearthed in these excavations. Three big halls like structures are found adjacent to the structure believed to be the Palace Complex and it is considered as the evidence for the speculation that this was a Dance Theatre, according to Dr. Narasimhayya, Retired Director of the department, who is currently the in-charge of the excavations.

The first year of the excavation in the Fort unearthed the Governor’s Palace Complex, Durbar Halls, Community Hall, Residence of the Queen and in the second year excavators found horse sheds and various types of artifacts and weapons made of wood and mud.

The stone poles in the Fort area were regarded as the horse sheds, but the evidence found now suggests the place as the warehouse belonged to the palace. Lot of artifacts has been unearthed during the excavation and a 1442 A.D. inscription related to Raja Salva Narasimha is also found.

The excavation jointly led by the M.H.Indology Institute of the Mythic Society of Bangalore along with Archeological Survey Department of the central government and Govind Pai Research Institute of Udupi, will continue for another 2 years. The findings will shed light on the history of coastal Karnataka and give answers to the doubts  over the history of Barkur. Based on these findings, the department plans to convert the Fort Area of Barkur into a beautiful tourist spot as informed by Dr. Narasimhayya.