I met 50 year old Shivanna who makes a living by running a horse on the river bank of Kabini at Nanjangud near the famous Shiva temple. My daughter Priyamvada (she is lovingly called Ammu by me) wanted to have a ride on the horse. It was a white, neat, sturdy and beautiful horse. Shivanna helped her climb on the back of the horse. She did not find any problem in riding the horse! It was Rs.30 for two rounds on the bank. She was extremely happy to touch it and feed it. Shivanna has named the horse 'beauty girl'. It was selected to act in the forthcoming film of Darshan, 'Sangolli Rayanna'. He was concerned about the pollution of the river Kabini. He has been living with the tourists' income for the last two decades. He said he has stopped bathing in the river as his skin get allergy. Many people have started compaining about the water. But the worshippers who come from outside dip in the 'holy water' as they believe in it. Now, the life expectancy also has come down. The eatables are polluted. We eat poison everyday. Death takes place at the age of 45 or 50. They die in front of their parents who are still healthy. What is the point of living in such a state of affairs? he asks.
He wonders why the educated eat and promote junk food which contains poison. Has education harmed them or have they not got proper education?
I stood mum in front of him respecting his wisdom.
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