Mandya: Octogenarian farmer who single-handedly dug 16 ponds thanks PM Modi for lauding his efforts

Team Udayavani, Jun 29, 2020, 3:38 PM IST

Mandya: A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised a farmer from Malavalli taluk in Mandya district for his efforts in water conservation, the octogenarian thanked the latter for appreciating his efforts.

“The 85-year-old farmer Kamegowda was very happy after he got to know that the PM of the nation lauded his efforts to dig 16 ponds in his village for rainwater harvesting ahead of the monsoon,” a state water resources department official was quoted speaking to IANS.

PM Narendra Modi on Sunday, June 28 praised a farmer from Malavalli taluk in Mandya district for his efforts in water conservation.

While urging the people to focus on saving water, Modi, through his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat cited the example of the 83-year-old Kamegowda from Dasanadoddi village who has single-handedly dug small 16 ponds over the years in his farmland and in nearby hill while taking his animals for grazing.

“In order to overcome the problem of water scarcity in the area, Kamegowda ji, aged 80-85 has taken it upon himself to build new ponds. Even though the size is small, his efforts are huge,” the PM said.

It may be recalled that the state government in 2019 had honoured Kamegowda with the Rajyotsava award in recognition of his yeomen community service.