One of the best websites I've seen, related to Barkur. Articles and folders have historical relevance and knowledgeable to youngsters.

Varun Kumar Shetty, 31/08/2004

Frequent updates are well received by hundreds of BARKURIAN public at Barkur and spread across the Country and abroad. We are concerned about Bridge, do something..........

Philiph Richard ,31/08/2004

Two personalities in Health care - Dr Nambiar of yesterday coming from distant Kerala and made Barkur his new home and Dr Sr Fernandes who hail from Barkur but chose Hyderabad her home to serve are the inspiration stuff for youngsters. Sure I will be wrong to say that 'we have to wait for Barkur Bridge to fall to read Archie' but I mean we need more frequent material from such pens. Mr. Valerian has spoken on behalf of many - it is CYM making news everyday, why the section Questions and answers dormant now? Kannada Section is very good but be frequent in updating it.

Felciana D'Silva, Kuwait. 30/08/2004

ICYM Barkur is the most popular and creative social organisation, now expanding its base to move interior villages like distant Kavadi, by organising much needed Medical Camps. Over the years, it is CYM whose name constantly heard loud and involved live, in social causes. The efforts of Vicar, and others in moulding the youth and directing their energies to right channels deserve praises. Understand the present President and her team is planning the CYM unit to be different by responding to the needs of needy, joining hands with similar groups. All the best and we are happy to read more and more about this group in these web pages.

Valerian T. D'Souza, 28/08/2004

We the St.Thomas the Apostle catholic community assure our humble prayers to Rev.Sr.Dr.Helen Consilia Fernandes for her speedy recovery. My sincere thanks to James Fernandes and the team of barkuronline.com for recognizing the gifts and talents of a religious sister who dedicated her entire life for the church and to Christ to spread the gospel of love preached by Jesus and to reach out to the sick and the suffering, dying and the crying people of God. May god continue to bless the good work of Kishoo de Barkur. This web site has brought many of us together in one spirit and to share our beautiful talents.

Fr. Tony Andrade., USA, 26/08/2004

Congratulations and best wishes to Ms. Sabitha Mascarenhas, on being elected as the Vice President of first ever ICYM District Unit of Udupi.

ICYM Barkur Ex-Member's Association. 26/08/2004

We wish with folded hands, the repair work of broken bridge be started soon and complete it within 2-3 months. The inconveniences and sufferings are much more, than narrated in your article.

Bhaskar L. Poojary, Mumbai, 24/08/2004

The POM and other updates are really attractive, happy that news section too active with Harry. Nambiars profile also informative, thanks.

Barkurgar,24/08/2004

Hearty congratulations to Sr. Helen Fernandes, on being chosen to be POM - August 04. As a matter of fact, I didn't know this great nun at all, thanks barkuronline, you introduced a unique person. However it is also a truth that, I heard and read of many greats through Barkur portals only! Wonderful photographs added attraction to the article, all the best again Sr. Helen, we too pray to Almighty for your good health!

The other two latest updates also caught my attention - the former Fr. Tony and the other about the Bridge over Barkur river in Archie's corner, kindly forward the said article to PWD officials as well as our leaders. Public opinion must be build up to start the job right now. It's chaos at Barkur now. Its appreciable that you are doing best efforts to call the attention of concerned in a powerful way, thanks.

VINCENT D'SOUZA.,24/08/2004

It is a known slogan ' build bridges not walls' extend it to 'maintain them' too. It is a well thought article in the corner known to be Archie's, over the bridge and its conditions and repercussions, one thing to be admired, is enough concern is exhibited by various people and the alternative suggested by you to link Moodahadu, is a new subject worthy to be discussed further. Well done barkuronline managers you wake up to burning issues, related to Barkur, wish you all good in your efforts.

MM.ALVARES, alvaresmm@hotmail.com  ,24/08/2004

Welcome back Harry D'Souza! We missed you. Thanks again.

-James Fernandes, USA, 20/08/2004

Happy Birthday

Dear Dad,

Wishing you a great B’day on 14^th August 2004 on completing a landmark Birthday that is 90^th Birthday. May God give you good health and happiness and peace and may God give you many more days like this in days to come.

With prayers and well wishes from,

Barkur Pundith, found a deserving place in Barkur.com, well done friends, keep it up. Some places become more famous since famous people lived there.

M.M.Alvares., 18/08/2004

From the looks of the photographs, it appears, the corrosion caused is by the salt water evaporation depositing salt particles on to the bridge's underneath surface. Just as children can ruin your rusty bed by jumping up and down, this bridge did take lot of pounding from the tripple loaded greedy trucks. Let's blame the trucks, not the truck drivers, please. Well, the damage is done. To avoid further damage we have to know the cause, anyway. Next step is how to bridge the bridge? May be there should be charges to cross the bridge, as in ferry charges, or in USA they say "Pay toll!"

James Fernandes, USA, 15/08/2004

Birthday Wishes

Sr. Dr. Consilia Helen Fernandes (D.O.B. 14th August)

From her brothers Benedict, Romalth, Gabriel, James and Vincent and their families.  Prayers for her better health will be greatly appreciated.14/08/2004.

1. Is the bridge still under any warranty? (I wonder!) 2. Are there regulations or limits on how much a truck can weigh before it crosses the bridge? 3. Are there regulations on speed limits for the heavy trucks while crossing this bridge? 4. How the maintenance, minor repairs of the bridge are handled, or are these done annually? 5. Do weeds, grass, thorny plants grow on any part of the bridge? 6. Did any tall fast moving motorized masts hit the bridge from underneath? (I wonder?) 7. Are there any plants growing at the undersurface of the bridge? 8. Has the salt water during non-monsoon seasons has any corrosive effect on this structure? 9. Can the 80 miles an hour torrential lashings of the rains or waves have any effect of the half a century old structure? None of these questions are going to replace/repair the bridge.

James Fernandes, USA, 13/08/2004

After a weeklong havoc created by re-activated rain and storm, today its kept a low profile today!. Barkur is like island with broken bridge, it needs to be  repaired so far only political up-manship and public pronouncements by leaders of various parties, but no real action on the spot!! Students, working class, daily travellers have hell to cross, it is a pity to see groups of people and cursing the ruling class.

M.M.Alvares, 07/08/2004

Construction sacrifices and headhunters: This caption was found in: http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2001/06/10/stories/13100611.htm Online edition of India's National Newspaper ‘The Hindu’. Sunday, June 10, 2001 “In 1966, when I was a boy growing up in Barkur near Udupi, Karnataka, the government constructed a bridge across the river flowing through the village. At that time, rumors were rife that the bridge contractor and his workers were looking out for a human sacrifice, preferably a young boy, to ensure that no mishap took place during construction and the bridge had a strong, enduring foundation. Initially I thought that this was local lore, but I now find that this delusion is widespread in many remote rural and tribal communities in India and elsewhere.“ Similar mass hysteria was spread when the Mabhukal bridge was built, a few years earlier. The rumor was that, the human sacrifice had to be a boy, not a Harijan, Christian or Muslim.

I remember joking with my Brahmin friends, either not to wear Janivaar, or wear a cross, ‘You will be spared!” I believe, such fear was spread to keep the children away from the dangerous construction site for lack of safety measures. Every Friday night, I used to see/hear funeral procession, with chants like, ‘hey hoh, heho.’ That’s how they used transport illicit liquor!

James Fernandes. USA, 05/08/2004

Dear sir,

I appreciate  the efforts taken by yourself for bringing news and uniting the people from Barkur & it is excellent effort & site.

I came to know about the site by accident...but now I check the site regualrly ...please do keep you effort rolling & all the best wishes for the site. With Thanks &  Regards

Girish Shetty Nagarmatta, 05/08/2004