Mahadayi water dispute, a big hit in Ganesha pandals in North Karnataka region

Hubballi: The Mahadayi water dispute is a great hit this time in Ganesha pandals in North Karnataka. Various youth organisations have installed Ganesha idols with models depicting the plight of farmers and drinking water scarcity.

By doing so, they are trying to keep the issue alive and bring pressure on elected representatives to initiate a dialogue with Goa for early settlement of the dispute.

The idols of drought-hit farmers seeking the blessing of Lord Ganesha with a plea to divert water from Kalasa and Banduri, the two tributaries of Mahadayi river, to Malaprabha reservoir are on display at many places.

Youth have also erected beautiful models of the tributaries and water flowing waste into the sea.

The idols of farmers narrating the problems confronting them and the rising suicides cases due to loss of crops following failure of rainfall are other issues which have been highlighted.

A 10-minute play shows Ganesha coming to the rescue of farmers by supplying Mahadayi water to their agricultural land. Many youth organisations claim that such models in Ganesha pendals have helped them realise the unfulfilled dreams of people.

“Earlier, we had displayed models on the importance of setting up of a permanent high court bench, the South Western railway headquarters and the Hubballi-Ankola railway line. Such plays helped us realize our dreams and in the completion of pending projects. Now, we have installed a model of Kalasa Banduri project to portray the agony of farmers,” Bhusapeth Ganeshotsava Mandal president Abhinandan Teekannavar said.

These models are seen in Ganesha pendals in Gadag, Dharwad and Bagalkot districts. The models have also pleased farmer organisations who have contributed funds to meet the expenditure of the festival.