Bengaluru: For a very long time ‘Hucchu’ (lunatic) is what the people in his village called him. In a world where people find ways to hoard materialistic things, this man sold off every bit of his belongings for the cause of his people and a disrespectful moniker was what got in return.
However, November 29, 2018, will be marked as a glorious day in this Huccha’s life. As a glorious recognition of his selflessness, none other than the Chief Minister of Karnataka, H D Kumaraswamy awarded him the Rajyothasava Award.
Kamegowda (83), a resident of Malavalli Taluk of Mandya, accepted the award with all humility. What this man, in worn-out clothes has accomplished is phenomenal. An illiterate shepherd, Kamegowda realised the need to save the water bodies in his region long ago and in this quest, sold off every bit of asset he owned, including his livestock, and revived and built as many as 14 lakes.
Clad in ragged clothes, holding a club in hand and with a small pouch hanging from his shoulder, this old man walks throughout the day to see the lakes that he nurtured and beams a bright smile every time he spots birds and animals rejoicing in the lake. He knows that his ‘madness’ of 40 years has yielded a wonderful gift for Mother Nature.
It was four decades ago that Kamegowda’s village faced a drought. Moved by the same, he started identifying land and digging out ponds. Every day he dug the earth from 5 AM to 9 PM. There were times when he used to dig land even at night with only a burning lantern giving him company in his ‘madness’.
People mocked, laughed and called him names, but he had his eyes fixed on his goal. Today, the ones who insulted him are hanging their heads in shame.
Kamegowda has lived for his lakes, and the Rs one lakh purse that the prestigious Rajyothsava award will carry will also be utilised for the sake of his lakes.
The man in faded half pants, worn-out shirt, a club in hand and the same old pouch hanging from his shoulder, accepted and added value to the Rajyothsava award this year!
