Dadadapura first village free of smoke in Mandya

Dadadapura of Malavalli taluk will turn into a model village from January 6, as it will become the first smoke-free village of Mandya district.

No more tears, asthma and lung-related diseases for womenfolk of the village as cooking with firewood and dry coconut shells will be a thing of the past.

Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Forum, which observed the plight of women who complained of breathing problems during a health checkup camp recently, decided to distribute stoves and LPG cylinders to 200 families and make the village smoke-free.

After a survey, they found that there were 230 families in the village. Out of them, 30 families were already using LPG for cooking purpose. Others were using firewood, dried coconut shells and others for cooking.

The Forum decided to distribute the stoves and cylinders as dried wood is not available in abundance, especially during rainy season, moist wood produces more smoke, causing inconvenience to the homemakers.

The forum has already booked gas stoves and LPG cylinders in the name of the beneficiaries at Shambavi Gas Agency of Malavalli, to enable easy distribution. As their kerosene quota at the fair price shops will be stopped once they get the LPG connections, the forum will distribute chargeable torch to the beneficiaries, said Forum president B S Shivanna.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Shivanna said, the village which was made open defecation-free recently, will now be declared smoke-free. The forum has decided to extend the scheme to villages under Banduru Gram Panchayat.

Kannada film director Nagathihalli Chandrashekar will distribute the articles on January 6 at 11.30 am. Writer Meera Nayak will be the chief guest. Nidumamidi seer Veerabhadra Channamalla Swami will be present, he added.