Community Revitalization and Engagement: Initiatives and Progress in Eshwar Nagar on 8th Feb 2024

Road Expansion Project at Narasinge Temple Road

Date: February 8, 2024

Location: Near Big Boss Hotel, Eshwar Nagar

The Eshwar Nagar Ward Samithi, in collaboration with the Udupi Municipality, took a significant step forward in community development by launching the road widening project on Narasinge Temple Road, Eshwar Nagar. With an allocation of Rs. 94.4 lakhs, the 1.4 km stretch leading to the Narasinge Temple will undergo major improvements, including widening and resurfacing with asphalt (damar), enhancing accessibility and safety for the local community. The major part of this work has already been completed.

The inauguration event on February 8, 2024, was marked by notable community leaders and government representatives. Overseeing the ceremony, Sri Harish Kalmadi extended a warm welcome to all attendees and introduced the dignitaries. Among them were Sri Yashpal, MLA of the Udupi constituency; Sri Rajavarma Ariga, President of the Eshwar Nagar Residents Welfare Association; Sri Girish, the secretary of Nagarabivridhi; Sri Dinesh Amim; and Sri Manjunath, the local councilor.

In a formal address, Sri Manjunath Manipal articulated the community's appreciation for the project's approval and funding through Nagarothana 4, emphasizing its significance in the broader context of Eshwar Nagar's development initiatives. The event highlighted the collective efforts towards enhancing local infrastructure and underscored the importance of collaborative governance in achieving tangible improvements for the community's welfare.

Sri Manjunath expressed gratitude for allocating Rs. 94.4 lakhs through Nagarothana 4 towards the road widening project. He extended a warm welcome to Sri Yashapal, the MLA for Udupi. He invited the President of the Eshwar Nagar Residents Welfare Association (ERWA) to honour Sri Yashapal with a garland. Additionally, he acknowledged the presence of Mrs. Sumithra R Nayak, former President of Udupi Municipality, and Sri Harish G Kalmadi, President of Sneha Sangama, highlighting the significance of the project as a significant development for Eshwar Nagar Ward.

Sri Manjunath noted that the project, initially estimated at Rs. 3 crore for including a rainwater channel and footpath, was funded with Rs. 94.4 lakhs under Nagarothana 4, with Sri Muniyal Udayakumar Shetty overseeing the work. He appreciated Sri Yashpal Suvarna's role in inaugurating the work and announced plans to felicitate him on behalf of the Eshwar Nagar Ward Samithi. Following the felicitation, Sri Yashapal Suvarna addressed the gathering, emphasizing the project's importance to the community.

Sri Yashpal Suvarna voiced his contentment with the accomplishments within the Eshwar Nagar Ward, specifically acknowledging the councillor's efforts in road resurfacing and achieving a high-quality finish. The event saw a significant turnout of community elders. He expressed a heartfelt wish for the community to participate fully in Udupi Municipality's programs, committing to diligence in all his municipal endeavours. Remarkably, the 1.4 km road project has been completed.

Dr. Yagnesh Sharma raised a pressing issue with the MLA: the ongoing theft of cows, underscoring the urgency for measures to curb this menace. He detailed efforts to gather Rs. 35,000 to transfer young calves to Neelavara Goshala, although capturing the cows remains challenging. He appealed to the MLA for a strategic solution to safely relocate them to Neelavara Goshala.

Sri Shailesh, a resident in Eshwar Nagar, argued that simply relocating cows isn't a sustainable solution without ensuring proper care at the Goshala. Given the Goshala's limited resources, he advocated constructing a dedicated Goshala within the ward to guarantee the animals' welfare. He recounted personal efforts to send over 40 cows to Goshala, emphasizing that transferring the problem doesn't equate to solving it. He suggested establishing a Goshala in every village,  would be a more practical approach.

Dr. Sharma's concern for protecting cows, alongside Sri Shailesh's observations, underscores a broader community issue that requires immediate attention and action. They both call on the MLA to leverage his influence to ensure the construction of adequate Goshala facilities in every village, thereby safeguarding the well-being of these animals.

Sri Rajavarma Ariga, President of the Eshwar Nagar Residents Welfare Association (ERWA), highlighted an opportunity for the local leadership regarding government land near the Dairy, proposing its transformation into a public park. This initiative, previously suggested to the then Deputy Commissioner, received a positive response, yet progress stalled due to the Dairy's parking needs. With the Dairy's relocation, Sri Ariga advocated for the swift conversion of this land into a community park.

Furthermore, he addressed traffic management concerns, specifically the need to prevent buses from stopping at the beginning of Dairy Road and the addition of a rainwater channel to alleviate flooding issues.

The MLA confirmed his intention to address these matters after the 23rd of this month, showing readiness to tackle issues encompassing the park, livestock management, and bus shelters.

Sri Manjunath clarified the status of the park proposal, noting its approval and the Municipality's allocation of Rs. 10 lakhs towards its development. He outlined a phased approach to the park's construction, starting with the compound wall, followed by the addition of a badminton court and an open-air auditorium. Expressing gratitude towards the MLA for his support, Sri Manjunath also extended an invitation to the community for the upcoming Nemotsava, further fostering communal bonds and engagement.

Executive Committee Meeting held on February 5 2024, at the residence of Sri Rajavarma Ariga

Minutes of Meeting

Executive Committee Meeting held on February 5 2024, at the residence of Sri Rajavarma Ariga

Attendance:

1. Mr. Rajavarma Ariga B (President)
2. Dr. Vinayak Shenoy (Secretary)
3. Shri Ganapathi Kamath (Treasurer)
4. Dr. Subha HNS Rao (EC Member)
5. Mr. Sheik Noorulla (EC Member)
6. Prof. Sureshramana Mayya (EC Member)
7. Mr. Harish G. Kalmadi (EC Member)
8. Prof. Yagnesh Sharma (EC Member)
9. Mr. Srinivasa Rao (Advisory Member)
10. Dr. Arun Maiya
11. Dr. Ravindra Maradi
12. Shri Manjunath (Counsellor)
13. Shri Rajkumar Mascarenhas (EC Member)
14. Prof. HKV Rao
15. Prof. Balachandra Muniyal
16. Sri Deviprasad Shetty

Sri Rajavarma Ariga, the president of the Eshwar Nagar Residents Welfare Association, welcomed the attendees as the meeting commenced at 7:30 AM. After his introduction, he delegated the task of updating the members on activities conducted during November. He provided detailed explanations about the various initiatives, including the development of the Children's Park, construction of a Bus Shelter, improvements to the Rain Water Channel, organizing a health camp, grass cutting, maintenance of street lights, organizing a family picnic, enhancing garbage collection, and expanding membership drives. He also discussed the inclusion of women and other adult family members besides the primary member and addressed the ongoing issue of money-related problems in the area. Furthermore, Prof. Yagnesh Sharma, a senior member of the Association, proposed the formation of a committee to address any issues that arise effectively.

He handed over the responsibility of continuing the meeting to Sri Rajavarma Ariga, who then detailed the discussion on January 30. The meeting included delegates such as Sri Rajavarma Ariga, Sri Ganapathi Kamath, Prof. Yagnesh Sharma, Sri Srinivas Rao, and Sri Nagaraj, who met with the Commissioner to discuss several issues concerning Eshwar Nagar. These issues included the development of a Public Park, the problem of buses stopping outside designated bus shelters, and the renovation of Dairy Road. They submitted a written request to address these concerns.

Thanks to our Counselor, we secured an appointment with the Commissioner, who facilitated a thorough discussion and promptly contacted the relevant authorities to address the bus shelter issue. Regarding the Public Park, our efforts have been stalled due to the dairy's request not to partition the land, leaving this matter pending. As for Dairy Road, we are advocating for proper drainage, although it is unlikely to be addressed during this period.

Dr. Arun Maiya provided updates on the upcoming Health Camp. He announced that the camp is scheduled for Sunday, March 3, 2024, and will include specialists in medicine, ophthalmology, diabetes, eye care, and cardiology. Preliminary preparations have already been made, and discussions with Principal Prof. Kantraj have occurred. Prof. Kantraj has expressed strong support for the activities of the Eshwar Nagar Residents Welfare Association. He has confirmed that the premises of TMA Pai Polytechnic will be made available for the health camp to be organized on March 3, 2024.

Family Picnic Discussion: Dr. Vinayaka Shenoy presented details about the family picnic location near Hebri Seethanadi. A picturesque site named Ikkudlu has been identified, featuring a garden, stones, and clean water with minimal water bodies. The location, suitable for a one-day event without an overnight stay, meets all specified requirements. Following the discussion, all members expressed satisfaction with this choice due to its proximity and suitability. It was agreed that Dr. Shenoy would proceed with arrangements if the location is acceptable after a preliminary visit suggested by Mr. Rajavarma Ariga. The members discussed potential dates, emphasizing the need to avoid conflict with examination schedules. Transportation logistics, including the hire of a minibus, were discussed. The location, owned by the Ballal Group, will be accessible thanks to Dr. Shenoy's connections, ensuring a successful picnic.

Membership Drive Discussion: The meeting also covered extensive discussions on enhancing the membership drive, focusing on strategies to attract more members.

Water Supply Issue: The councillor updated the members on the recurring water supply problems due to pump breakdowns, noting that restarting the water supply after interruptions takes time but is expected to be resolved soon. Concerns were raised about the speed at which new water meters run. Members suggested installing an air vent with a non-return valve to address this issue. Senior member Sri Srinivas Rao recommended the installation of an automatic air vent that allows only air to escape, ensuring no water loss.

Treasurer's Request: Sri Kamath, the Treasurer, requested the committee's permission to deposit the remaining funds into bank accounts to earn higher interest. He noted that banks now charge for various services such as deletions, additions, and setting up standing instructions. The committee granted permission for these banking arrangements.

Introduction of Smt Vijaya Lakshmi: Smt Vijaya Lakshmi, an Executive Committee Member, was introduced to the committee. She brings expertise in legal and consumer rights, and has worked extensively with Dr. Ravindranath Shanbhab on a variety of issues including those affecting underprivileged individuals, senior citizens, and civil society cases such as pensions, Provident Funds, civil and matrimonial disputes, as well as specific cases like those related to endosulfan-induced cancer and property issues involving senior citizens. Her focus is on social justice rather than financial gain, which the Association plans to leverage. Dr. Vinayaka Shenoy, the Secretary, expressed gratitude for her commitment to advancing the Association's interests.

Resignation of Sri Prakash Shenoy: Sri Rajavarma Ariga relayed a request from Sri Prakash Shenoy, former secretary of the Association, who has expressed his intention to resign from his post as an EC Member due to significant responsibilities he has taken on at a temple in Kallianpura. Prof. HVK Rao has been tasked with resolving this issue and persuading him to continue as an Executive Committee member. Many members praised Sri Prakash Shenoy's exemplary service and supported his continued involvement with the Association. Despite challenges in work culture compatibility, the members appreciated the standard set by Sri Pai and expressed a desire for continuity in leadership and dedication.

Traffic and Parking Issues at Polytechnic: Sri Harish Kalmadi raised the issue of vehicle congestion near the Polytechnic. The members appreciated the swift action taken by TMA Pai Polytechnic, which installed a traffic mirror following a request from senior ERWA members. Dr. Sharma proposed asking the college authorities to allow the use of the cricket ground for additional parking. Dr. Shenoy agreed to speak with the Principal of the Polytechnic about opening the cricket ground gate to facilitate vehicle parking. Additionally, Dr. Shenoy reported that some students had been disturbing the area with the loud noise from their motorcycles. Sri Kalmadi noted that the college authorities had addressed the noise issue, which has since ceased. The members also discussed the need to install more speed humps to improve traffic safety.

Financial and Environmental Concerns: The President suggested making a financial deposit of Rs. 50,000 to earn interest. The members expressed concerns about the declining groundwater levels and urged the consideration of effective measures to safeguard and replenish it. They also endorsed the idea of holding regular meetings at the same venue to manage expenses more effectively.

Conclusion: The meeting concluded with the singing of the National Anthem, marking the end of the session.

 

Letters sent to authorities: