Latest news with #B.Y.Raghavendra
The Hindu
01-08-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
BJP members stage protest against Congress govt.
The Shivamogga district unit of the BJP staged a protest here alleging that the Congress government was responsible for the shortage of chemical fertilizers. The protest was led by BJP State unit president B.Y. Vijayendra. MP for Shivamogga B.Y. Raghavendra, former Minister Araga Jnanendra, Hartal Halappa, and others took part in a protest march in the city. Addressing the gathering, Mr. Vijayendra said that the State government had adopted anti-farmer policies. The State machinery had failed to provide chemical fertilizers to the farming community, though the Central government made available the sufficient stock. Further, he said that the State government had been harassing poor farmers by issuing them eviction notices. 'The Congress party came to power making tall promises to the farming community, but ended up punishing them. During the Congress rule, farmers' suicides also increased,' he alleged. Mr. Raghavendra said that the government had been issuing eviction notices to farmers who had been cultivating their land from the period well before the Forest Act came into effect. 'The farmers will not forget former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa who took several measures for the welfare of the farming community in his tenure,' he added. Legislators D.S. Arun, S.N. Channabasappa, Dhananjay Sarji, district BJP president N.K. Jagadish, and others were present.
Hans India
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
India's second largest suspension bridge inaugurated
Shivamogga: Bringing an end to a decades-old struggle for safe connectivity, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari today inaugurated the country's second longest suspension bridge, built across the backwaters of the Sharavati river in Sigandur. Before formally opening the bridge, Minister Gadkari participated in a homa and offered prayers to the Sharavati river — a symbolic tribute to the people whose lives and livelihoods have long been shaped by its waters. Former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, former Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa, MP B.Y. Raghavendra, BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra, MLAs Channabasappa, D.S. Arun, Dr. Dhananjay Sarji and hundreds of local residents witnessed the historic moment. The new suspension bridge stands as a vital link for the people living on the Sharavathi island region, who for more than sixty years have battled isolation and danger due to the lack of a permanent connection to the mainland. The bridge — whose construction began in 2010 — has finally been completed in 2025 at a cost of about Rs423.15 crore. As part of the project, the rural road from Sagar town to Marakutuka in Hosanagara taluk was upgraded to a national highway in the first phase, enabling this vital infrastructure to be built. For the people of Sigandur and surrounding villages, this bridge is more than just concrete and steel — it is a symbol of survival and a testament to relentless community struggle. The story of this bridge goes back to 1960, when a massive reservoir was built near Linganamakki on the Sharavathi river to meet Karnataka's power needs. In the process, entire villages with fertile agricultural lands were submerged. Hundreds of families were relocated overnight by the then Karnataka Electricity Corporation, loaded into trucks and scattered across parts of Shivamogga and Bhadravathi taluks. The backwaters that submerged their lands also isolated the communities that stayed back. Surrounded by water, they were cut off from the mainland, denied access to basic necessities like healthcare, schools, markets and emergency services. During the monsoons, rising water levels made the situation worse. Many villagers lost their lives trying to cross the backwaters on makeshift rafts, while others endured hours-long detours.' Recalling this painful history, MP B.Y. Raghavendra said, 'When there was no bridge, people risked their lives on rafts and many perished. So many fought for decades demanding a safe bridge. Today, it stands here because of that struggle. As their representative, I feel honoured to be part of this historic day.' Local residents had repeatedly staged protests and padayatras, travelling on foot from the island to Sagar and even Shivamogga district headquarters to press their demands. Their long struggle saw its first small victory when the inland water transport department introduced a launch (boat) service to ferry people. But this too fell short of the region's needs, and emergency situations often forced people to travel 70 km around the backwaters to reach Sagar town. Former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa is credited with pushing the project through when he was MP from Shivamogga. He secured central government clearance for the bridge and ensured the rural road was upgraded to a national highway. Funds worth over Rs423 crore were subsequently released to realise this vital link. Today, the new bridge promises to transform the lives of thousands living on Sharavati island. For the first time in decades, villagers will have uninterrupted access to emergency services, hospitals, schools, markets and employment opportunities. What was once a treacherous, life-threatening boat ride or a tiring detour will now be a simple drive across the backwaters. For the residents of this remote region, the Sigandur suspension bridge is not just a feat of engineering but a lifeline that binds them to the rest of Karnataka. It marks the end of decades of helpless isolation and opens the door to better education, healthcare, jobs and prosperity. Speaking at the inauguration, Minister Gadkari praised the resilience of the people and assured continued support for rural connectivity. The event, steeped in emotion and pride, also served as a reminder of how infrastructure can reshape destinies when people's voices are finally heard. What once seemed an impossible dream — a safe crossing over the vast Sharavathi backwaters — now stands tall, carrying not just vehicles but the hopes and struggles of an entire generation.
The Hindu
21-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Madhu Bangarappa hits back at Raghavendra's allegations
Minister for School Education Madhu Bangarappa has hit back at B.Y. Raghavendra in response to the latter's allegations that Congress leaders were harassing government officials in the name of transfers. Speaking to reporters here on Saturday, Mr. Madhu Bangarappa said that whatever decisions he as the Minister in charge of Shivamogga district took were in the interest of people of the district. 'I don't take decisions to benefit any political party. The decisions are in the interest of the people. I know the BJP MP and his brother were engaged in making money in the name of transfers when their father was the Chief Minister,' he alleged. Mr. Madhu Bangarappa said that his government was committed to safeguarding the interest of the people who were displaced by the Sharavati project. He said the State Cabinet had resolved to re-conduct the survey, as per the directions of the party High Command. The survey would be conducted within the stipulated time, he added.
The Hindu
29-05-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan launched in Shivamogga
The Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan (VKSA–2025), a nationwide campaign to engage farmers to build a resilient, inclusive, and future-ready agriculture sector, was launched in Shivamogga on Thursday. Lok Sabha member B.Y. Raghavendra flagged off the campaign at Holalur village in Shivamogga taluk in the presence of representatives of ICAR-Shivamogga and farmers. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Raghavendra said that the campaign had been planned by the Department of Agricultural Research and Education, in association with the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR), to reach out to farmers in rural areas. The campaign would educate farmers about the advanced technologies in agriculture. R.C. Jagadish, Vice-Chancellor of Keladi Shivappa Nayaka University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences (KSNUAHS), and scientists of ICAR were present at the inauguration. The campaign will continue till June 12. In the 15-day campaign, the officials of ICAR and KSNUAHS will hold workshops and seminars on pre-kharif preparations, integrated farming, poultry, judicious use of chemical farming, maintaining soil health, and other issues. The farmers will get an opportunity to interact with scientists and experts from reputed institutes during the campaign, said Sunil C., senior scientist and head of Krishi Vigyan Kendra of Shivamogga.
The Hindu
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Huge turnout for Tiranga Yatra in Shivamogga despite heavy rains
Shivamogga Despite heavy rains, hundreds of people took part in the Tiranga Yatra organised by Shivamogga district unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to celebrate Operation Sindoor, in Shivamogga on May 20. Amidst heavy rains, many women, college students, BJP leaders and supporters took part in the yatra that began at Ramanna Shetty Park. Participants carried a tricolour and raised slogans praising the soldiers for the success of Operation Sindoor, conducted in response to the terror attack at Pahalgam in Kashmir. Lok Sabha member B.Y. Raghavendra, legislators S.N. Channabasappa, D.S. Arun, Dr. Dhananjay Sarji, and district BJP president Jagadish were among the participants. Mr. Raghavendra, addressing the gathering at Gopi Circle, said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership had given a fitting reply to the Pahalgam attack. The military operation had taught a tough lesson to Pakistan. He criticised Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah for opposing war.
