BULLOCK CART RACE KNOWS NO BARRIER OF CENTURIES;

Madikeri November 23, 2006

If bike and car race rage is enveloping the world over in this twenty first century, love for Bullock cart race still exists in Kodagu district.

Dozens of bullock carts enthralled the audience yesterday at Hebbale village through racing on the occasion of a Banashankari Amma festival.

Farmers from Mysore and Mandya take part in the race each year long with the local participants. The age old bullock cart race tradition is kept alive in Hebbale region as most of the people their own bullock carts as they depend fully upon agriculture. Mechanised systems of ploughing with tillers and tractors are yet to make a dent in this region.

Folk art, song and dances also enthralled the people in the evening.

Photo: Cart Race

CHIKOON GUNYA IN KODAGU;

People fear entry of Chikoon gunya in Kodagu.

The district health department is investigating suspected Chikoon Gunya cases at Kudige. Children in this area are falling ill due the entry of this disease.

According to local residents, the disease entered the district through children who had been to Mysore and other places during holidays. The Health department is educating the local people the importance of maintaining cleanliness to avoid spread of the disease through mosquitoes.

JAMMA LAND CONTROVERCY WILL BE SOLVED;

Raising controvercy over the Jamma land would be solved in course of time assured MLA K.G.Bopaiah.

Addressing scribes here yesterday, Bopaiah said that the governments recent order declaring that the owners of Jamma land do not enjoy right over it is contempt of court.

He said that the Supreme Court, thirteen years ago had made it clear that the owners enjoy the position of the land, but can not sell it. The state government’s recent order is confusing, contempt and mooted by hidden agenda.

Bopaiah said that the matter will be brought before the Chief minister and revenue minister to reverse the decision. Action would be urged against the concerned state officer who was responsible for issuing the circular without bringing it to the notice of the ministers, he said.