Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, May 1: A man, who was inspired by the talk of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme about increasing the ground water level, has resorted to building a huge pond, pouring in all his life-time earnings.

Madhava Bhat, resident of Kullangalu near Katipalla circle, is the person who has taken up this social work. This huge pond is being built at Kullangalu village which is one km from Katipalla Circle, on the way to Soorinje. The pond is spread over an area of two and a half acres of land. The estimated cost is Rs 50 lac. The exact name of the place where this pond, which lies in the midst of picturesque surroundings is called Nagalike. Complete work related to the pond is over and is already inaugurated.

Bhat is going to complete 60 years in 2021. Instead of the usual rituals like Sasti or Shanthi that are usually done when a person completes 60 years according to Hindu tradition, Madhav Bhat is feeling happy that he has built a pond for the society.

Thinking is also going on to grow plants around the pond. Bhat himself had put the foundation stone for the construction of this pond. He also says that the yoga and ritual practices, which he does every day, have contributed to this work. In addition, Venkataraja Bhat Kullangalu, father of Bhat, used to do meditation during the month of Ashada in the Hindu calendar, by the side of Nagabana which is at the exact location of the present pond. Madhav Bhat also visits this spot every Sunday and offers his obeisance.

It is said that once when Bhat visited the spot where the pond is built now, he saw two snakes swimming in a small ditch in which water was there. That day itself Bhat made a resolution that he will build a provision for rain water harvesting. Today, that resolution is realized through the building of a huge pond.

This pond can hold one crore and seventy five lac litres of water. The work started on January 20 of 2021 and got completed within two months and 20 days. The pond is 125 feet wide, 140 feet long and 30 feet in depth. Due to this pond, the water level of wells within three km radius of the pond will increase.

Growing of plants and trees by the side of the plant will give a water source for animals, birds, snakes and other creatures during summer. Arrangement is made for the water to flow from hills nearby from three directions into this pond. In addition, a filtering system is made to prevent any ripe leaves and waste from entering the pond. The pond is secured strongly on all the four sides by double locking with red stones.

Where there is possibility of mudslide, concrete is put underneath. During incessant rains, arrangement is made for the excess water to flow out from the pond. When the earth was being done through the excavators during the construction of the pond, in the midst of the pond a spring of water was found. A small and beautiful well is built there itself. Already clean water of dark green colour is already deposited in the well.

In this modern times, where people sell even small plots after making them as small sites, the effort put in by Bhat is really appreciable. His family also has its full support for this social cause of Bhat.