Elderly Karnataka shepherd receives PM's praise in 'Mann ki Baat'

Kame Gowda, an octogenarian shepherd from Karnataka's Mandya district, earned the praise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Mann ki Baat address. Gowda, has been a crusader for water conservation, as he has dug up16 ponds in his area.

Mandya (Karnataka): Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his 'Mann ki Baat' radio address on Sunday, applauded the noble efforts of an octogenarian shepherd from Karnataka's Mandya district in curbing water crisis in the area.

Kame Gowda, an octogenarian shepherd from Mandya's Dasanadoddi, has dug up as many as 16 ponds in his area.

Applauding Gowda's efforts, the Prime Minister in his address said though the ponds the octogenarian has dug up might not be very big, his efforts are huge.

"Kame Gowda ji takes out his animals for grazing, but at the same time, took it upon himself to build new ponds in his area. He wants to overcome the problem of water scarcity in his area, and is therefore engaged in the work of constructing small ponds," PM Modi said.

"The ponds he has constructed might not be very big, but his efforts are huge. Today, the entire area has got a new lease of life due to these ponds," the Prime Minister added.

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Expressing happiness over the honour of being mentioned in PM Modi's address, a delighted Kame Gowda said, "The Prime Minister is using all his knowledge to save people from COVID-19 and he remembered me. It is the greatest joy of my life."

For his extreme resolve and contribution to resolving water crisis, the shepherd is also known as Kere (lake) Gowda by the locals.

(With inputs from ANI)