THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF SHIMOGA DISTRICT LEADERS IN THE FIELD OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT : AN ANALYSIS.
NAGARAJU. M .S
Research student and Assistant Professor of Political Science
Government First Grade College,Kunigal, Tumkur District Karnataka.
Email : msnmakam@gmail.com Mobile no. 9886857139
Dr. R.N.DINESH
Assistant Professor of Political Science and Research Guide
University Evening College
Mysore University, Mysore
Abstract
This paper highlights the meaning and importance of rural development. In this paper researcher tries to explore the achievements of Shimoga leaders in the field of Rural Development. Shimoga district lies in the malnad region of the western Ghats also known as Gateway of Malnad (Malenadu Hebbagilu) Jog falls is a major tourist attraction. As of 2011 Shimoga District population of 1755512. There are seven taluks. Major crops in this districts paddy, areca nut, cotton. maize, oil seeds .pepper ,chilli, ginger, ragi. Shimoga is a sacred land which has blessed many leaders to serve the state with highest commitment. Their vision helped to strengthen the rural development in Karnataka.
Key words : Rural Development, movement, agriculture, programmes, leaders, reforms
Introduction
Development as a concept when applied in the specific context of rural India acquires a new meaning as rural development. Fundamentally, development of rural area means not only the aggregate development of the area but also development of the people living in rural areas. The objectives of development include sustained increase in per capita output and incomes, expansion of productive employment and greater equity in the distribution of the benefits of growth, rural development, over the years, has emerged as a strategy designed to improve the economic, social and cultural life of a specific group of rural development are multi dimensional. It aims at increased employment, higher productivity, higher income as well as minimum acceptable levels of food, clothing, shelter, education, health and building up of a sound value system. Which is in keeping with the high cultural heritage of the country.
Importance of Rural Development
Rural development is the main pillar of the nation’s development. Alarge section of our population still lives in the villages. Rural development is not only in terms of allocations of additional funds and resources but also through introduction of new programmes and restructuring of existing ones.
The development of Indian society is based on the village system. Rural people are mainly engaged in agriculture ,rural people cannot find work on year because inadequate monsoon. The result of this unemployment, poverty, illiterate, migration , wastage of resources etc.
The rural poverty as been considered to be one of the most acute problems of the country. Rural development is very essential today .
In this context since independence centre – state governments conducting problems what they are facing like unemployment , technology in agriculture , irrigation , health , education , dairy development.
Kadidal Manjappa
A man with a vision and mission to achieve the vision. Manjappa introduced laws related the recognization of the rights of the cultivators on the abolition of absentee landlordism. The tenancy act and the Inam abolition act are credited to Manjappa and his forward thinking.
Shanthaveri Gopala Gowda
A socialist politician was thrice elected to Karnataka Loksabha, the Legislative Assembly of Karnataka, in 1952, 1962 and 1967.
He was a pioneer of socialism in Karnataka. He was influenced by Ram Manohar Lohia. He was developed to the poor and working classes especially the farmers. The Land Reforms Act. A real idealist and daredevil leader his ‘Kagodu Satyagraha’- The indefinite fast held to provide justice to the farmers of Karnataka-is evergreen in the minds of the Karnataka people. Shanthaveri Gopala Gowda role was pivotal as it once again drew the attention of the nation on the plight of the farmers.
J.H Patel
He participated in the freedom struggle in 1942 and was imprisoned . He was elected legislative assembly and served as a cabinet minister in 1983. He was the chief minister of Karnataka in 1989.
Most significant achievement of Patel’s government was the formation of seven new districts in the state which was a long- delayed decision. His administration also gave impetus to information technology and attracted foreign investment. His government was also known for investing Rs; 4,800 crores on irrigation projects such as Ghataprabha, Malaprabha, modernization of visveshwaraiah canal, work on varuna canal and near completion of the alamatti dam across the Krishna river
Kagodu Thimmappa
One of the most important socialist leaders in ‘Kagodu Movement’ and ‘Tiller is the owner of the land’. His role in the struggle against landlords has been vital contribution to Karnataka politics. In his mining he was implemented a number of rules and programmes whish have really contributed in rural development. He has taken part in a number of pro- people struggles and was an important leader of the socialist movement carried out under the leadership of Shantaveri Gopala Gowda . He was instrumental in bringing the land reforms act of 1974 during Devaraj Urs time. It actually made the ‘Tiller is the owner of the land’. He has served in capacities in state government as Social Welfare, food, PWD, forest and Revenue Minister. He visited villages solve the problems of crop insurance . Land Ownership rights would be conferred on the landless families.
Providing land ownership to BPL families was necessary to alleviate poverty , the state government had decided to regularize houses constructed on revenue land measuring 50X70 feet in rural areas. So far title deeds have been conferred on 8604 families in rural areas of the district shivamogga. On the progress of works taken up in the Shivamoga district under the Swachh bharat Mission he said over 2.8 lakh individual toilets have been constructed and district would soon be declared open defection free
Bangarappa
He began his career in politics has a socialist. He became known as a champion of the backward classes. During his tenure he promoted three extremely pro-people programmes Aradhana, Ashraya and Vishwa which are popular even today and many Zilla Panchayats are implementing them.
Ashraya was a programme to build houses for the poor people and it went on to become precursor for the housing programmes as its rules were simple and norms easy to implement.
Vishwa programme to give direct financial help for rural artisians and tiny and cottage industries.
B.S.Yediyurappa
He is an Indian politician who was the 19th Chief Minister of Karnataka and present President of BJP unit. Yeddyurappa given importance to agriculture and rural development. He called a special assembly session began here to discuss issues on agriculture and rural development, appealing to members to come out with meaningful solutions to improve the conditions of villages and lives of farmers.
“Convening a session to discuss our society’s and state’s most important issues of agriculture and rural development is probably a first in the country’s legislature history”, however, speaker Jagadish Shettar said it was decided at the business advisory committee to extend the session by another three days.
Highlighting the plight of farmers, Yeddyurappa lamented that despite many programmes for their benefit, nothing has been done to improve their lot. Villages have remained as they were for decades.
Villages have become old-age homes, he said, adding, there is a dire need to stop people from migrating to urban areas by creating infrastructure such as schools, hospitals and industries in rural areas to arrest the trend.
“Despite many projects in force and lakhs of crores of rupees having been spent, our villages have not developed as per expectations”, the chief minister said.
Calling for a meaningful discussion, Yeddyurappa said the members suggestions and ideas on agriculture and rural development would be incorporated while drafting Budget
He highlighted crop loss in parts of the state, fodder shortage and charged the government with failing to implement the National Rural Employment Guarantee programme in the state effectively.
D.H.Shankaramurthy
A senior leader of BJP in Karnataka. He has been chairman of the Karnataka Legislative Council since 2010. He kindly participated in Bangla Sathyagraha under went imprisonment in ‘Tihar jail’ during the emergency he was detained under the maintenance of internal security Act for 19 months in the prison at Belgaum. He was the chairman of the Karnataka Milk Federation in 1984 and rendered yeoman service for the promotion of milk and other dairy products.
He was elected has member of Karnataka Legislative Council from the South-West graduate constituency in 1988,1994,2000,2006and 2012 five times.
In 2006 he occupied the position of a cabinet minister and held the prestigious portfolio of Higher education for tenure of 20 months. there were only 156 degree colleges.In 2007 he was instrumental in approving and starting of 184 Degree colleges thus bringing a radical change in educational system in the state and streamlined the institutions to impact good education to the rural students.
In 2008 he was appointed has the Deputy Chairman of the State Planning Board. He oversaw the creation of a document called ‘Karnataka Vision 2020’ twelve key areas of transformation to achieve vision 2020.
1.Increase rural incomes through greater viability of agriculture and allied activities.
2.Focus on job-oriented growth through skill development of the workface.
3.Develop the state as a vibrant knowledge society
4.Improve access and availability of quality healthcare for all
5.Achieve a sustainable and orderly procee of industrialization and urbanization.
6.Enhance opportunities and empower women across economic,social and political spheres.
7.Bridge the gap between socially backward and vulnerable groups and the rest of the people.
8.Ensure sustainability of the state’s environment and natural resources. etc.
which gave a new direction to the all round development of the state.
Conclusion
In the context of rural development within the framework of the development of the country. There are many models for achieving the rural development among them the leadership model is very important model, under this model leadership quality and skill contributes more in rural development. In the context Shimoga leaders played significantly to adopt the Gandhian principles in the Rural Development policies and programmes.
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