GHASTLTLY LIGHTENING KILLS SIX

Madikeri March 17, 2009

In a ghastly incident, first of its kind in the district, lightning claimed the lives of six, including two children at Baadaga village near Murnad today.

Around six workers, all of them Tribes were killed on the spot as they were sitting under the cover of a tree as it began to rain cats and dogs in the afternoon.

According to the survivors Ramesh and Rekha, about ten of them were working in the hay stack of Kambiranda Yogesh Appaih. It began to rain with thunderbolt and all of them hid under a huge tree near the pile of hay. But Ramesh and Rekha decided to go home. They called the rest of the group and they refused to join them. As the couple reached their dwelling place, they herd a sharp lightening sound. The plain paddy field echoed the sound. It was still pouring.

An old woman Seetha, who remained back, came running to the house around 2.45 p.m and said that six of their family have died due to the lightening.

Pushpa, - 19, Yashoda – 40, Shanthi – 18, Jaya – 45 and two children Subramani – 5 and Aruna – 6 were killed on the spot. The death scene was heart rending with two ladies killed in half bent position and remaining four were thrown and scattered by the impact.

Ols lady Seetha and a baby Suresh had a miraculous escape as others in their group breathed their last instantly. Suresh is shifted to hospital for treatment at Murnad and he is recovering.

Deputy Commissioner Baladevakrishna, MLC S.G.Medappa, ZP Chairperson Deergakeshi Shivanna, DySP Prakash visited the spot.

Talking to press, DC said that he will distribute rupees one lakh each to the family of the deceased under calamity relief fund and will distribute rupees one thousand each immediately for purpose of cremation. Medappa said that he will speak to the district in charge minister and assist the family through the government.

MLA Appachu ranjan visited the Madikeri hospital where the body was brought. The autopsy was conducted at the government hospital here and the dead bodies were sent for cremation to Raanigate, their native near Byalakuppe.

BHAGAMANDALA TEMPLE REJUVENATION FROM APRIL 3

Madikeri March 17, 2009

The rejuvenation rituals at Bhagamandala Bhagandeshwara temple will begin from April third, according to the committee heads. The rituals and programmes will be continued upto the sixteenth of April.

Addressing a meeting yesterday the members decided to begin the rituals on third. Planter Vinodh Shivappa is sponsoring the special poojas. .Jayendrapuri swamiji will inaugurate the Spiritual meet on sixth.. The main rejuvenation programme will be held on ninth.

Veerendra Hegde from Dharmasthal and Pejawar Seer from Udipi Pejawar mutt would take part in the spiritual meet on 11th. Raghaveshwara Bharati Swami will be present on 12th. From 14th 16th, Shudda Druda Kalasha will be held.

The committee members stated that people from many parts of Kodagu will carry Hore Kaanike to Bhagamandala and they urged all the people to follow suit.

Treasurer Suresh Chengappa spoke on the occasion and said that the rituals and programmes will incur an expenditure of rupees thirty five lakhs. He said that the Mujarai department will release rupees fifteen lakhs and donations would be raised from Kodagu, Mandya and other places.

MLC S.G.Medappa, ZP president Deergakeshi Shivanna, committee member’s Mahabaleshwara Bhat, G.T.Raghavendra, T.P.Ramesh, secretary Rajendra and others spoke on the occasion. Working president ,matanda Monnappa presided over the function.

KADAMAKAL ROAD CONTROVERCY; - A NOVEL WAY OF PROTEST;

While the kadamakal road formation inside the forest is irking the officials and peoples representatives with courts questioning them for their participation, Subrahmanya Bhakta mandali has found a novel way of devotion to fight the hurdles.

Addressing a press conference here, president kalur Mahesh and advisor B.A.Machaiah stated that they will demand road formation through acts of devotion. They said that they will hold protest in front of kukke Subrahmanya temple, perform poojas and take vows. They said that Kodagu which has no railway or air routes should be provided absolute right to form roads in all parts for the people to transact.

They also threatened that those who oppose road formation would be ostracized from the society and a non co operation movement will also be held.