Mysuru: A madrasa, a Rama mandir and two Christian schools, St Mary’s School and St Antony’s School at Suntikoppa in Kodagu are functioning as three relief centres where over 1200 victims have been housed. And several volunteers including over 120 Muslim volunteers led by a Maulvi, Christian volunteers including nuns led by a priest are working together with Hindu volunteers displaying communal harmony in communally sensitive Kodagu. Basaveswara Bhavan in Karadigodu in Virajpet taluk, and Ambedkar bhavan in Madikeri are also functioning as relief centres.
According to C.R. Nagarajaiah BEO of Somwarpet and in-charge of three relief centres in Suntikoppa, told DC, “Over 1200 victims from Iggodu, Haaleri, Makkanduru, Kadankolli and other parts of Kodagu are in the three relief centres. Volunteers from all communities are working together. Victims are happy with the facilities here, except for pain of loss and anxiety about future,” he said. C.N. Hamid Maulvi, who is leading over 120 Muslim volunteers and incharge of relief centre at Madrasa, said, “In our Madrasa of the 500 victims, only 30 are Muslims. All are staying together peacefully. Volunteers from our mosque have even assisted agencies in rescue operations too. People are in difficulty. It is our duty to assist people and we are satisfied with the service,” he said.
Besides government schools, colleges, Anganvadi centres, BCM hostel in Karadigodu, hall of chamber of commerce in Madikeri, Kodava Samaja in Madikeri, Kushalnagar, Somwarpet, and kalyana mantapas are being converted to relief centres. In 51 relief centres, there are 7,594. While a video grab in this regard has gone viral, it has even caught the attention of AICC President Rahul Gandhi who has appreciated the communal harmony displayed the flood-hit district, in his tweet and has called it “Oasis of hope”. He has tweeted, “In Kodagu, Karnataka, massive floods have unleashed a trail of devastation. But amidst the gloom here is a great story about oasis of hope, a small town Suntikoppa where Shiv, Ram, Christ, Allah and the Buddha are working together to help those in need. This is India!”
