Volunteers engage in harvesting paddy at Ananthodi in Belalu village of Belthangady taluk.
Credit: DH photo
Mangaluru: One thousand volunteers harvested paddy cultivated on four-acre land in one hour at Ananthodi in Belalu village of Belthangady taluk. The programme was organised in association with Ananthapadmanabha Temple Committee.
Led by Baduku Kattona team, NSS unit of SDM College, Ujire, Kreeda Sangha, Belthangady Rotary Club, and others had participated.
The event was aimed at creating awareness among the younger generation about paddy cultivation. A similar initiative was first held at Kolalambe village, said members of the Baduku Kattona team.
Speaking on the occasion, Hemavathi B Heggde from Dharmasthala said "service of "Annabrahma" is sacred. The work taken up by a youth organisation to take up cultivation on the land left fallow is commendable, he added.
State NSS officer Prathap Lingaiah said a proposal will be submitted to the state government to connect young students from colleges across the state with farming practices by offering practical experience in agriculture.
Mohan Kumar and Rajesh Pai from Baduku Kattona team said " rice will be used for preparing "naivedya" for the temple deity, the paddy straw will be handed over to gaushala at Kalenja. The team will engage in paddy cultivation on the fields left fallow every year."
Volunteers were given bill hooks and areca sheath hats on the occasion. The paddy was later taken to the temple in a procession.