DASANADODDI, India (AP) – Kalmane Kamegowda, a 72-year-old pastor living in an indescribable village in southern India, has become a celebrity, earning national recognition from none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Kamegowda, who never attended school, says she has spent at least $ 14,000 on her son and son’s income, mostly from the sale of sheep he cared for over the years, to dig a chain. of 16 ponds on a picturesque hill near his village, 120 km) west of Bengaluru, Silicon Valley of India.
The ponds, built over four decades, are intended to address the problem of water scarcity. Kamegowda, known as “Pond Man,” says it has a “scientific” character, with water flowing down a slope, allowing ponds to prevent them from drying out even in the summer months. Birds and wildlife such as bears, leopards, deer and foxes use ponds to quench thirst.
Kamegowda, who has tidy black hair and a gray beard, was dismissed as crazy by other villagers. He was ridiculed because he claimed to have learned from his father, also a shepherd, the art of identifying soil moisture and using it to create bodies of water.
He relied mainly on shovels, picks and picks to create the bodies of water and rented excavators when the ponds could be allowed to structure.
The Karnataka state government praised his work two years ago with a prestigious award. But national recognition came earlier this year when Modi praised his work on his popular radio show, calling Kamegowda a “normal farmer” with “an extraordinary personality.”
“He has achieved a personal feat that will leave anyone impressed,” the first mister said, adding that Kamegowda “has dug 16 ponds through his hard work and the sweat of his brow.”
“The ponds he has built may not be very large, but his efforts are enormous,” Modi said. “Today, the whole area has a new life because of these ponds.”
Social groups are now urging Modi to honor Kamegowda with a national award.
Kamegowda is happy to show reporters around, stepping on a bandaged leg due to an ulcer wound that has not healed for months. This restricts their regular visits to their ponds at present.
Four years ago, he saved money for his daughter-in-law, who hoped to give birth with a cesarean section, but she gave birth to a baby normally, leaving him with some cash in his hands.
“I spent the same money to dig another pond and named it Krishna, in honor of my grandson,” he said.
Kamegowda, who has dozens of sheep, lives in an unfinished two-bedroom shed next to her son’s house and enjoys spending time with her family. Keep all documents and newspaper clippings that reflect your accomplishments.
It has a second nickname: “Vanapalaka,” or guardian of the woods, gained by planting trees in an area near the ponds designated by officers as a park.
“Most villagers are proud of me, but those who are jealous strive to malign my image,” he said. “I ask people not to pollute the ponds by washing clothes and restricting the use of water only to their livestock.”
“It’s nice to see villagers bring cattle to these ponds to drink water, but it hurts when some try to slander me,” he said.
He was referring to some villagers who, apparently jealous of the recognition he had received, filed a petition with the local administrator, complaining that Kamegowda was treating the pond area as personal property, even though it was land. governmental.
However, the local administrator, Deputy Commissioner MV Venkatesh, said he visited the village and found that “there is a misperception” about Kamegowda’s work. “His work is genuine,” he said.
This year, the Karnataka state government allocated 5 million rupees ($ 67,500) for the further development of watersheds in the area.
Venkatesh noted that every rainy season, the tanks built by Kamegowda are filled with water and serve as reservoirs for birds and other forest animals during the summer.
“He is a very dedicated man, a very disinterested server for the protection of the environment and ecology. In fact, it is a role model for other people in the development of watersheds, “Venkatesh said.” It is doing a very good job. “
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“One Good Thing” is a series that highlights people with actions that offer lights of joy in difficult times – stories of people finding a way to make a difference, no matter how small. Read the story collection at https://apnews.com/hub/one-good-thing