Mandya: Mandya district is considered as the rice bowl of the state but the euphoria associated with the harvest festival “Sankranthi” seems to be missing this time due to drought in the region.
But, farmer Yashwanth is an exception who has managed to grow paddy in his field despite acute shortage of water in the region. He cultivated paddy by ferrying water in large tankers to continue the age old family tradition of celebrating the harvest festival. Farmers in the region are worried over the water situation in KRS dam as water levels have hit the rock bottom and the canals supplying water to paddy fields have gone dry.

Family members were seen performing the rituals associated with the festival practised by their ancestors over several generations. Teenage girls dressed in new clothes were seen dancing around (Kolata) the paddy mounds and the cattle too were not left behind.

Despite the looming drought, Yashwanth still remains hopeful and feels the crisis is temporary and will be blown over by Mother Earth. She will never let down the farming community in the region, he believes.

Recalling the days of yore, when his ancestors served meals to a village gathering on the day of the festival, farmer Yashwanth and his family members are determined to continue the age old tradition to make the harvest festival Sankranthi memorable.