CHIKKAMAGALURU: A medium sized village, Sadarahalli in Chikkamagaluru, is all set to become a “Smart Village” in another six months thanks to the Art of Living Foundation. The village located about 18 km from Chikkamagaluru town has been selected by the spiritual organisation to develop it by spending about Rs 15 crore.
Founder of Art of Living Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Thursday inaugurated potable drinking water unit at the village besides laying foundation at the village to develop Sadarahalli as a Smart Village having 200 families. This village mainly comprises of people belonging to Kurubas and Scheduled Castes.
Foundation members at Sadarahalli told DC that the Foundation plans to construct a cattle shed to accommodate around 400 cows, grow vegetables in a green house besides setting up a coffee shop and taking up research on Gir, a cattle breed native to Gujarat and farm ponds. Among others areas of focus would be afforestation activities and cleaning of drains. Under the Smart Village concept, the Foundation plans to impart training to villagers in ghee making among others.
The works launched on Thursday at Sadarahalli should be complete before February next year. The Foundation will be utilising government subsidies for various works to develop Sadarahalli.
It was the response from the villagers of Sadarahalli to the yoga camps conducted at the village by Art of Living which made the Foundation to select the village under the Smart Village concept. “The yoga camps at the village were well-appreciated by the villagers and considering the response, Art of Living selected Sadarahalli,” the source added.
