Mysuru: If you have vision and dedication to do anything, qualification is not the criteria. Venkatesh, the 32-year-old groundnut seller in trains passing Mysuru railway station is just educated up to Class 4. But, after going through more than six books including Indian constitution, Indian History and Cauvery, Venkatesh has prepared a four-page letter on Cauvery water and its advantages to Karnataka.
In a couple of days, he will also be sending the four-page letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Venkatesh is creating awareness among people including majority of the train commuters by distributing the letter every day.
After seeing the farmers’ plight, their protests for Cauvery water and being lathi-charged by policemen, Venkatesh though educated just up to fourth standard, decided to know more about Indian constitution and Cauvery water. He is capable of writing and reading Kannada. For fifteen days, without sleep, he went through nearly six to seven books including Indian constitution and Cauvery water. He used to sell groundnuts from 9am to 8pm and later from 10pm to 5am.
Getting the firsthand information about Cauvery water issue, Venkatesh came out with the four page letter. Through 15 days of dedication and hard work, he came to know that Karnataka is having advantage over Cauvery water. He mentions in the letter that according to Indian constitution article 356, Section 143, Karnataka is having an advantage over other states. Before coming out with the four page letter, he also met a judge.
Venaktesh, who is from Mukarahalli village of Chamarajanagar Taluk says, “Since 1994 I am selling groundnuts in train. Due to poverty, after studying fourth standard, I discontinued my studies and started assisting my father who was also into groundnut selling business. Later, I too started to sell groundnuts in train. After seeing the plight of farmers, I decided to do something for them. For 15 days I went through nearly six to seven books and came out with a four page letter which I will be sending to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a couple of days. I am also distributing the four page letter to general public so that they can also come to know about the real fact. Many people after going through the letter felt happy and appreciated me”.
