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Kerekadu spruced up for Haadi Vaastavya


Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, April 16, 2016: Kerekadu Koraga hamlet in Padupanambur Gram Panchayat, about 25 km from Mangaluru, was spruced up for the Haadi Vaastavya of Minister for Social Welfare H. Anjaneya to mark his birthday on Friday.


 Social Welfare Minister H. AnjaneyaThe hamlet with 14 dwellings of Koraga tribes people had welcome arches made of coconut leaves. The entire hamlet was thoroughly cleaned even as the residence of Baby, where Mr. Anjaneya is scheduled to stay overnight on Friday, got a fresh coat of paint. A bathroom and toilet with western commode was built behind Ms. Baby’s residence for the Minister’s comfortable stay.

Besides the clean hamlet, arrangements were in place to maintain hygiene as the administration had installed mobile toilets. A temporary pandal for the official function was erected on the available land with some earthwork.

Arrangements for breakfast and lunch were made by volunteers of Kerekadu Koraga Seva Sangha. Disposable plates from arecanut leaves, drinking water and hand wash facilities were properly made.

Meanwhile, Ms. Baby’s mother Thimmu, who came from Yermal village to attend the event, told The Hindu that she was happy that the Haadi Vaastavya is being held in Kerekadu. She used to stay earlier at Kerekadu and now lives in Yermal with another daughter. Ms. Baby’s husband passed away a few years ago.

Demands

During the event, the Federation of Koraga Abhivriddhi Sanghas submitted a memorandum listing out various demands. The important demand was to arrest the decline in the Koraga population, which is decreasing every year. The tribe was identified as primitive in 1986. Besides commissioning a comprehensive research on the health of Koragas, the government should bear the expenditure of medical treatment of Koragas in government and private hospitals, the federation said.

The community has been facing severe unemployment problem and steps should be taken to address the issue. The federation also demanded setting up of Koraga Cultural Zone on at least 100 acres of land at taluk levels while support price should be offered to baskets woven by Koragas. The federation also said that as Koragas practise community farming, suitable land and irrigation facilities should be made available to encourage it.