Mohan Kuthar

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Sep 18: State food and civil supplies minister, U T Khader, who was expected to take part in a programme organized for the students, came late and instead of participating in the stage programme, joined the students in planting seedlings in barren field.

The incident happened at the programme jointly organized at Annerepalu field in Konaje by the Students of Dr P Dayanand Pai P Sathish Pai government first grade college at car steet here, National Service Scheme unit of the college, Red Ribbon and Konaje gram panchayat, besides Raita Sangha Hasiru Sene and Madhyama Kendra Thokkottu on Sunday September 17.

The minister's gesture spurred the students to work with added enthusiasm. The minister, who had made headlines when he managed the traffic, drove a bus and a bulldozer in addition to picking up people injured in road accidents and admitting them into hospitals, again made news when he got involved with planting of seedlings at Konaje.

The minister was accompanied by some local leaders when he ventured into the field in his white clothes. He joined hands with the students in the slushy field and began to plant the seedlings. He also joined the chorus in the customary singing of Paddana and Tulu poems which were sung by Agricultural Produce Market Committee vice president and Konaje gram panchayat member, Muthu Shetty.

Speaking thereafter, Khader lamented the fact that agriculture as an activity is dwindling due to the advent of modernity and scientific advances. He said that the effort of making the barren land fertile again through young students is unique. "This is an effort to conserve the culture of connecting with earth and rich traditions of the district. Providing fresh life to barren land encourages farmers. At the same time, it enriches the personalities of students concerned. I am happy that such initiatives are undertaken in my constituency. Whenever I was travelling by road, I was always worried about the disappearance of agricultural fields. The initiative to make barren lands green again is an encouraging development," he said.

Students of the government college at car street have been undertaking various activities at Purushakody, Annerepalu, Devandabetta, Koppala and Melmane Gattimoole within the limits of Konaje gram panchayat which they have adopted, since the last three months. They have involved themselves with creation of forest, cleanliness drive, creation of lake and survey work of the village since the last three months by visiting the area two days every week. They have also shown interest in adding to the greenery of the environment by making barren lands fertile again.

College principal, Prof Rajashekhar Hebbar C, college NSS officer, Dr Naveen N Konaje, lecturers, Prof Geoffrey Rodrigues and Dr Nagaveni Manji, provided leadership to the students.