Reflections from Mr. V.L. Roche

Barkuronline.com wants to present a few reflections of our veteran Mr. V. L. Roche with relation to “Stupendous changes taking place in Barkur since the last 60 years.”  ‘In days bygone Barkur used to be a sleepy village but today it is a tiny township buzzing with activities.’ prides V.L. Roche.  Our team tossed a few questions to Mr. Roche, whose reflections are as follows: 

1. In relation to farming, mills, or labor problems: -

Farming and its yields are satisfactory, even though some paddy fields are converted to hosing plots.  Mills, unseen then are raw springing up everywhere. Labor problems have cropped up after the implementation of  ‘Land Reforms Act’. Farming laborers became landlords overnight, thus a shortage of laborers.  All forms of liquor have become expensive. On an average a farm laborer earns a wage of Rs. 100/day out of which a portion of it is paid for alcohol at the end of the day. The rest of his family has to survive on less than Rs100/day, which is practically impossible, this poverty is likely to stay. 

2. In relation to availability of food on the table: -

Poor people continue to eat frugal meals of ‘Congi’ & Chutney.’ The middle class consumes rice, fish & vegetables and the rich are likely to eat well & drink well too.  It appears, no one is starving in Barkur. 

3. Availability of money in hand, get fair price for local produce: -

Money seems to be rolling somehow. The price for coconuts is satisfactory while the price for areca is poor. The farmer does not get fair price for his produce because the middleman makes a huge profit. The mite disease has badly affected the coconut crop for the past few years.  Since, practically at least one person is earning away from Barkur, money seems to be rotating throughout.

4. Living standards, nice clothes, furniture, houses, electricity, phone, cooking appliances: -

Living standards are improving satisfactorily. People dress well & live in well-furnished homes with electricity, telephone, and lot of gadgets to make life easy.  In Barkur, we have 50:50 ratios of those who live well and those who are living below the poverty line. 

5. In relation to morals, respect for each other, mayamog, help each other, etc. or are morals declining?

Most people are educated and morality is good. Although in every society will have its share of rotten apples. Mutual respect and ‘mayamog’ comes to the fore, especially in times of crisis. 

6. In relation to religious practices, attendance to church, respect for elders, teachers, priest, or pundits: -

Attendance in church/temples is good. Respect for the Priest, Pundiths, teachers, elders etc. is instilled in everybody, mainly because of education, food, and upbringing. 

7. Schools, Colleges: -

No dearth of educational institutions in Barkur. It boasts of 4 higher elementary schools, 2 high schools, a P.U. College, an Industrial training institute, a first grade college and an English Medium school started last year. 

8. Job opportunities: -

Jobs are easy to come by for the boys of the I.T.I. For others, employment opportunities are poor except for the scheduled casts and tribal people.  Hence, the youth have to migrate to cities or elsewhere. 

9. What can be done about roads: -

Main road from Kalchapra is like a path. Too congested all the year round and not wide enough. Main road to Barkur needs a bye pass for through traffic.  Other roads are satisfactory. 

10. Their reflections in general, on life, future of Barkur, etc…. 

Barkur is opened to rail traffic.  The Konkan rail is a blessing to both the rich and the poor. A fast passenger train halting at all stations can halt the exploitations of luxury bus owners between Bombay to Mangalore. 

11. Inter-religious harmony, how people of different religions get along.   

No caste consciousness among Barkurians.  Christians, Hindus & Muslims live very amicably. Places of worship are open to one and all, regardless of one’s faith. 

12. Do you think that religions should help create jobs?

Religions cannot help create jobs. 

Just life in general:  Are the poor getting rich? Are the rich getting richer? Are more people getting educated?  Any advice to youngster?

The poor shall remain poor at least they are not getting poorer. The rich should not get richer. More and more people understand the value of education and pursue it whole-heartedly. Education is the basis of all round development. My advice to the youngsters is simple: “Eat well and work hard.” 

Barkuronline.com thanks Mr. V.L. Roche for his candid observations of present day Barkur, when compared to half a century before.  Thanks again.

-James Fernandes, USA in co-ordination with Ms. Shiney Lewis, Bennekudru