Silvester D'Souza

Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Sep 25: Experts in the field of water conservation and efficiency in unison have been advocating the need for rejuvenation of water bodies that are lying in a state of neglect, for improving the situation in which underground water table is depleting fast. Although an effort towards this direction is also taken up at the government level, success rate has been extremely low. Therefore, the work of bringing dead ponds back to life is not being undertaken at the desired scale. However, an effort at Neramballi near here has proved that the general public and entrepreneurs, if they join together, can do what the government fails to.

The pond near Lord Gopalakrishna temple at Neramballi has a history of over 250 years. This tank has lot of religious importance. For about two centuries, people used to conduct agricultural operations by depending on this pond for water needs. However, in the recent decades, the pond became dilapidated and neglected and sediment which accumulated at its bottom made the pond useless. People living in the vicinity too did not show interest in this pond as agricultural operations too have been hit of late. Everyone wanted the tank to be given a new lease of life, but no one dared to make a serious effort as the work involved expenses running into several
lacs of rupees.

This pond has now been entirely renovated. The story behind this rejuvenation happens to be interesting. A local, Seethamma Narayanappayya, had made up her mind to undertake pilgrimage to Kashi and she also felt about the divine instruction to her to undertake this pilgrimage. But her mother somehow felt that renovation of the pond will bring in divine blessings much in excess of the grace the pilgrimage to Kashi would have earned. She shared this thought with others. In course of time, N N Vadiraja Rao and Subbulaxmi couple based in Andhra Pradesh, came forward to rejuvenate this pond. They wanted to bring to life the earnest desire of their mother.
They begin renovation work of the pond.

This 40 ft wide and 40 feet deep pond has been renovated and restored. An 18-feet deep well also has been dug here. The pond has now got a new life after the couple spending about Rs 13 lac for the same. The pond now wears a beautiful look with an attractive metal fencing around it. The surroundings of the pond have been given an aesthetic touch.

The pond was dedicated to the public at an auspicious hour on Sunday September 24. The donor, N N Vadiraja Rao from Tirupathi, Andhra Pradesh, agriculturist, Ramachandra Varna, Mayura Group Bengaluru owner, Srinivas Rao, Ganesh Bhat and family members of Vadiraja Rao along with local people were present.