Gandhian Surendra Koulagi calls to save natural groundwater

“Amidst severe scarcity of drinking water, attempts are made to draw water using borewells. This will cause severe problems when there will be no groundwater left,” said Gandhian and Jamnalal Bajaj Awardee Surendra Koulagi. \

He was speaking at Senate Bhavan in Manasagangothri campus yesterday where the valedictory of the Golden Jubilee  celebrations of Mysore University Gandhi Bhavan was held. The event was jointly organised by Gandhi Bhavan, St. Joseph’s First Grade College, Sarada Vilas Educational Institutions and Kannada and Culture Department.

Continuing, Koulagi said that due to overexploitation of resources, coupled with man’s greed, the earth has turned barren today. “We have not stopped at this and are continuing to plunder natural resources. Groundwater levels have been depleted and we might have to face famine-like situation,” he warned, adding that many farmers were committing suicide and no government has come to their rescue.   

Criticising the excessive importance given to automation and machinery, the senior Gandhian regretted that though Mahatma Gandhi stressed on human employment and manpower, there is an attempt to mitigate human power by mechanisation and automation, he said. “Machines have become a part and parcel of our lives and in a way they are ruling us. We need to examine the impact of machinery on our lives and compare their pros and cons,” he said.

Presiding over the event, in-charge Vice-Chancellor of Mysore University Prof. B. Dayanand Mane opined that these days Mahatma Gandhi and his ideals were being forgotten and he is remembered only during Gandhi Jayanti and Martyr’s Day. Stressing on the ideals of Gandhi, he said that we all need to introspect on the need of conflicts in the society. “We need to decide whether we need war or ahimsa,” he said.

Gandhian Dr. M.G. Krishnamurthy, Kolar’s Vemagal Somashekar and freedom fighter H.M. Shivanna were felicitated. Registrar Prof. R. Rajanna, Registrar (Evaluation) Prof. J. Somashekar, Gandhi Bhavan Director Prof. S. Shivarajappa, Sarada Vilas Educational Institutions Principal Dr. P.S. Suresh, St. Joseph’s FGC Principal Prof. C.M. Mani and others were present.