Clement Pais
Pics by Dayananda Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Feb 26: Where to from Inna?(Innadinda ellige?) A question which used to bother Chandrakantha Rao of Udupi district, has finally found an answer. What we see around Praakruti Fruit Farm today is a result of his search for the answer to that question.
Chandrakantha Rao, a man who nurtures an intense love for his homeland, says, "I should return at least something to the place from where I have received abundantly." Being the first rank holder of mechanical engineering in NITK Suratkal, he could have settled in any part of the world if one considers the companies where he has worked.
He has brought the quiet village of Inna to the attention of all and sundry. A world class farm is not complete without a farmhouse, hence a Thai designed farmhouse with teak (green teak of 32 to 35 years old) imported from Thailand. A small team from Thailand and a local team of 12 carpenters are all it took to assemble this project in less than three months. The wooden beauty required almost six months of finishing by 12 craftsmen. The house has been built at a cost of Rs one crore.
The Thai connection goes further. The name ''Su Kantha i'' (Sukanthai Cottage), derived from Supriya and Chandrakantha (''Su'' and ''Kantha'') couple and ''I'' from Inna, not only fits perfectly, but even sounds Thai.
Chandrakantha Rao has showcased his love for his motherland in the form of his trust ABCD and E (Advaitha Bharathiya Community Development and Education). He is helping in the education of 600-700 students in one or the other form annually and he has set up a fruit farm to cater to the financial expenses of these students.
Speaking to daijiworld at the cottage, Chandrakantha Rao said, "I want students to learn English from Kannada. Hence I will teach them English through special tutorials and four Kannada medium high schools (Inna, Palimar, Belman and Kedinje) have these courses implemented along with free science and mathematics tutorials and computers."
The farm has abundant variety of fruits to add to its glory. Right from guava from Thailand, there is milk fruit from Cambodia, along with three varieties of sapota (chickoo) plants, 15 varieties of jackfruit and varieties of mango plants. With more than 15 varieties of fruit plants, it is indeed a dream farm. Chandrakantha Rao says that about 90% of the income from the farm is for the ABC & E Trust for social service.
Apart from the farm he has set up another source of income for his noble cause. He has set up a green lawn with 8000 sq ft party space for about 250-350 people along with generator, catering and shamiyana facilities. This makes the place truly a marvellous spot for a function or a party, with a tributary of Shambhavi river in the backdrop providing a magnificent setting.