Artists take artistic route to save Nethravati

[email protected] (CD Network, Photos by Ahmed Anwar)

December 3, 2013

Mangalore, Dec 3: The protests to save Nethravati from diversion have taken an artistic turn with the artists of the region resorting to painting cartoons and caricatures.

These expressions, which have spurred out as reaction to the proposed Nethravati diversion have been displayed at Orchid Art Gallery. The expo of the same was inaugurated on Monday where 22 piece of art by 8 artists have been showcased.

While a few held moral lessons on the link between deforestation and drying up of water sources, others were direct and caustic: take for instance, a caricature of Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment, B. Ramanath Rai holding an uprooted tree, while urging the public to save the environment.

Apart from lampooning politicians, citizens of the district are also targeted for their apathy. Exhibition is representing the present condition of district and politicians taking proposed Netravati Diversion project for political mileage. The public is pictured watching political developments blindly, when the heat of water crisis hits them in future continuously.

“This exhibition is the last resort of activists,” said Niranjan Rai, President of the Netravati River Diversion Opposition Committee, Uppinangadi, during the inauguration. He lamented that while politicians, across parties, were united in their resolve to implement the project, the citizens of the coastal district were not one in their opposition. “Politicians are aware of this division among the people, and are taking advantage,” he said.

Artist Dinesh Holla said the exhibition will have a showing in Puttur, while also featuring prominently in the Kalamela to be held at Kadri Park on December 14 and 15. “More than listening to lectures, people will understand the importance of the project through these cartoons,” he said.

Harini, Satish Acharya, John Chandran, Jeevan, Amruth Vittal, Dinesh Kukkujadka, Yathi Siddakatte, and Uday Vittal contributed to the exhibition. The exhibition will be open till December 4 at the Orchid Art Gallery, Balmatta.

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‘Have letter, next step is...’: MUDA on Siddaramaiah’s wife’s offer to return plots

News Network

October 1,2024

Mysuru: The Mysuru land authority at the centre of a financial and political storm - involving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and alleged losses of ₹ 45 crore to the state - has received an offer of restitution from his wife, the urban development body's Commissioner, AN Raghunandan said.

"I am in possession of a letter written by Siddaramaiah's wife regarding her intention to return 14 plots (of land). The Chief Minister's son, Yatindra Siddaramaiah, came to our office and delivered the letter. We will take legal advice for the next step..." he told reporters in Mysuru.

Mr Raghunandan also confirmed anti-corruption officials from the city's Lokayukta branch had written seeking cooperation in its inquiry into the charges against the Chief Minister.

He said the Mysuru Urban Development Authority, or MUDA, "will cooperate with the investigation".

The Enforcement Directorate, however, have not reached out as yet, Mr Raghunandan said. The ED, a federal agency, has filed a money laundering case against Siddaramaiah.

There have also been calls for the CBI, another federal agency, to investigate charges against the Chief Minister, but that appears unlikely now given the Karnataka government has withdrawn general consent for its operations in the state. Law Minister HK Patil made the announcement last week.

He ruled out any link with demands for the Chief Minister to be investigated by the CBI, which reports to the BJP-led central government and the ruling Congress and other opposition parties have claimed is being used by that party to target rival leaders, particularly before elections.

On Monday - three days after the Lokayukta filed a case against the Chief Minister, and hours after the ED launched its probe- Siddaramaiah's wife said she had planned to give up the land earlier but was advised against it the allegations against her husband are "politically motivated".

But now, she said, she had made up her mind as "no house, plot, or wealth is more important than my husband's honor, dignity, and peace of mind". She also said the decision was hers alone; "... I am not aware of my husband's opinion on this matter, nor do I concern myself with what my son thinks".

And, in a comment seen as a calculated swipe at the opposition BJP, which is leading calls for the Chief Minister's resignation, his wife also made an emotional appeal to "all political parties and the media" to "please not drag women of political families into the controversy to settle political scores".

Investigative action against the Chief Minister follows the Karnataka High Court quashing a challenge to Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot's order sanctioning Siddaramaiah's prosecution.

Subsequently a trial court ordered framing of charges and directed the Lokayukta to complete the investigation within three months. The ED case was filed based on the Lokayukta FIR.

Siddaramaiah faces an inquiry into claims Parvathi was allotted 14 plots of land in an upmarket Mysuru area as compensation for land elsewhere - holding a far lower value - taken for infrastructure projects.

The Chief Minister has denied all charges and refused calls to resign.

He has been backed by the Congress and his deputy, DK Shivakumar, who is also the state unit boss, and also by members of his cabinet, including IT Minister Priyank Kharge. However, some within the Congress also want him to quit, such as former Assembly Speaker KB Koliwad.

"I will fight. I am not afraid of anything. We are ready to face the investigation. I will fight this legally," he said last week after the High Court had quashed his challenge to the Governor's sanction.

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