Shivakumar strikes nostalgic note at Bengaluru event | Bengaluru News
Bengaluru: Participating in Farmers’ Day celebrations and visiting Raitha Santhe at the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Gandhi Krishi Vigyan Kendra (GKVK), Saturday, deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar struck a nostalgic note, recalling his early association with agriculture and how it shaped his political journey.Recounting a recent personal anecdote, Shivakumar said, “Last year, I had been to the US and met Sam Pitroda. During our interaction, he had suggested organising two-to-three-day rural exposure tours for Bengaluru students to create awareness about rural life, livelihood, and agricultural conditions.” Taking forward Pitroda’s suggestion, the deputy chief minister proposed developing a structured curriculum to sensitise city students to rural life and the challenges farmers face.Going back to his school days, Shivakumar recalled an incident that marked the beginning of his political journey. “I was studying in sixth grade and had joined Carmel School from National School. During a debate competition on whether a farmer or a jawan is more important for a nation, I argued passionately in favour of farmers and secured first place. That shaped my entry into politics, and today I have reached this stage,” he said.Describing himself as a farmer’s son, Shivakumar mentioned that his family remains deeply rooted in agriculture. “Even though I personally do not cultivate land, I own hundreds of acres as property. During my student days, I came to this agricultural college for training in poultry farming. In my native village, we practise mulberry cultivation, and my brother has set up a silk thread factory in our taluk besides serving as president of Bengaluru Milk Producers’ Association. We also cultivate betel leaves and pepper. I encourage my son to take up agriculture, while my daughter has married into a coffee-planters’ family. We have remained a farmers’ family and understand the hard work of farmers who do not receive a salary, pension, promotion, or bribes,” he said.Stating that Karnataka, after Rajasthan, has one of the highest proportions of arid regions in the country, Shivakumar said, “Our govt provides free electricity to irrigation pump sets by spending Rs 20,000 crore annually. Farmers around Bengaluru cultivate vegetables, fruits, flowers, milk, and silk. Whenever the CEOs of the international airport meet me, they share that about 50 cargo aircraft carrying flowers, fruits, and vegetables are exported from Bengaluru. This is a matter of pride for me.”Highlighting the importance of farmer-centric markets, he said, “Farmers showed me their produce including vegetables and ghee. They were selling mushroom packets for Rs 50, while the same is sold for Rs 250 in malls. By the time the produce reaches the market, the price increases fivefold. To prevent this, UAS and our govt have organised this fair.”INSET BOXDuring his visit to the stalls, Shivakumar expressed admiration for oyster, milky, and button mushrooms, bael fruit (wood apple), ghee, snacks made from hyacinth beans, traditional jaggery, and guavas, and purchased a few items. When a farmer offered him bael fruit juice, he remarked, “Bael fruit is my favourite. Please send bael fruits to our house as well; everyone at home will enjoy it.” He also collected contact details of a farmer supplying ghee made from desi cows.
