Daijiworld Media Network - Brahmavar (SP)

Brahmavar, Nov 26: Koragas, considered to be the aborigines of coastal Karnataka, who were suffering from shortage of water since long, finally got water through united and long-drawn struggle.

Balji in Matapady is a very backward place in Brahmavar taluk. People of Koraga community live in nine houses built in government house sites at Balji. Even though Matapady gram panchayat and ITDP dug borewell and open well here, there was no water.

The ladies of these families were compelled to wait till sunset to visit nearby ponds or canals to have a bath. MLA K Raghupati Bhat, evinced a lot of interest to address their water problem. Under the Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP), an open well was dug in a pool located at Chantaru about 1.5 km away from the colony, from where water was brought to the colony through a pipe and stored in a tank with 5,000 litres capacity. Tap was provided to each of these houses, and water started flowing in these taps from Monday.

Foundation stone was laid in a nearby three cent land for building a community hall for these families where prayers were offered to god in Koraga language and foundation stone was laid as per traditions. Contractor S Narayan and Sarita Nayak, who imparts education to Koraga children, were felicitated at the programme.

Zilla panchayat vice president Sheela Shetty, Brahmavar taluk panchayat president Jyoti Uday Poojary, vice president Sudhir Kumar Shetty and others were present.

Zilla panchayat chief executive officer Dr Naveen Bhat, said that the communities concerned have to put efforts to get government facilities. He said that the Koraga community can achieve progress if they give importance to getting educated.