A backward district begins to move forward

KANKAVALI (SINDHUDURG), Feb 21: In Sindhudurg district, postmen do not bring too many money orders nowadays. The people are utilising opport...

KANKAVALI (SINDHUDURG), Feb 21: In Sindhudurg district, postmen do not bring too many money orders nowadays. The people are utilising opportunities that have begun to pour at their doorsteps.

Like other districts in Konkan, Sindhudurg used to be known for its money order economy. Now the economy has begun to breathe on its own. The positive change is evident with the changing face of Kankavali – a small town in Sindhudurg. Till recently, almost every home here had its earning member in Mumbai and the family would depend on whatever little could be saved for the month.

As one walks out of Kankavali railway station (which was built only six months ago), the rapidly-changing landscape is a sight to see. Outside the station, a serpentine queue of about 30 autorickshaws scramble to pick up travellers of the Konkan railway. Some Goa-bound buses also wait to take passengers where rickshaws would hesitate to tread. On the black tar road, a new feature for the locals, a signboard announces the construction site ofa proposed government dairy.

S G Joshi, who supervises the construction, says, “More and more people are turning to the dairy business. In February 1997, we used to collect a maximum of 2,500 litres of milk every day. Today, the collection has reached 5,200 litres per day…By April 1998, when this new diary will be operational, we will have the capacity to store, process and preserve 20,000 litres of milk everyday,” Joshi said.

To have professionally trained youth for the dairy business, a two-year diploma course in Dairy Management and Animal Husbandry was started last year. Today 40 students, including 5 girls, are undergoing this course.

At State Bank of India’s Kankavali branch, manager Vishwanath Bedekar is busy finalising the business statement for the week. Bedekar is more than happy at the rate of growth in his business. “Last year the bank recorded a turnover of Rs 15 crore. This year, we have crossed the Rs 20 crore mark. The increase is phenomenal,” said Bedekar.

Currently, twonationalised and two scheduled co-operative banks are doing good business in Kankavali, apart from 15 credit societies. And there is room for more, he said.

Story continues below this ad

Bedekar is also surprised at the amount collected in the district through small savings. It has crossed its target of Rs 109 crores. If it continues going the same way, Sindhudurg will soon lose its backward district’ status.

Recently, Sindhudurg was given the status of tourism district.’ Various tourist spots have been marked and the area will soon see several star hotels coming up.

Nor is Kankavali willing to compromise on the education of its children. A convent school has already started functioning with over 400 students.

Kankavali has begun to dream — a dream of decent living.