Families of missing fishermen seek divine help

Mangaluru: The prediction from Babbarya Daiva, a demi-God revered by fishermen on the coast, has brought a ray of hope to grief-stricken families and the community. The Babbarya has said that all the seven fishermen who have gone missing along with the fishing boat are alive but in trouble.
Among Tulu speakers, especially of the Mogaveera community, Babbarya or Bobbarya is an important deity. With no trace of Suvarna Tribhuja, the fishing boat with seven fishermen on board which went missing off the Goa coast, even after a month, fishermen have sought intervention of the Almighty.

With no leads on the missing fishermen and boat, despite efforts made by the government, the first and second Mogaveera grama sabha of Badanidiyoor in Udupi had organized ‘Daiva Darshana’ at the Thottam Bobbarya Daivasthana seeking divine guidance on the night of January 9. The gathering witnessed families of fishermen and leaders from the community.

Sources said that the Daiva or demi-God, after taking control over Patri, promised the families of the fishermen that it would guard the fishermen and protect them from all the troubles they are facing. Further, the Daiva said the missing fishermen are in the the northern direction. They are held captive by people from another state, and are facing lot of trouble, said the Daiva. Current efforts by the government to search for the missing fishermen and boat are not bearing fruit and require more sustained efforts, said sources.

The fishermen who went missing are boat owner Chandrasekar Kotian, 42, a resident of Badanidiyooru, his neighbour Damodar Salian, 40 ; Laxman, 45, Satish, 35, a residents of Kumta in Uttara Kannada; Harish, 23, Ramesh, 30, a resident of Bhatkal and Ravi Mankey,27, from Honnavar.

Ganesh Kotian, the elder brother of Chandrasekar, told TOI that even they received same answers from the Daivas at various other places. “We will pressurise the government to expedite search operations,” he said.

Search to continue, says

fisheries minister

Minister for fisheries and animal husbandry Venkata Rao Nadagouda, reacting to the Daiva’s revelation, said that the search will continue as per the the words of the Daiva. “We have faith in Gods and Daivas, let us continue to search for the missing fishermen,” he added.

Meanwhile, the minister who met the families of themissing fishermen of Bhatkal, said the government has sought help from Isro as well as Google for the search operation, and also sent letters to the chief ministers of Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat.

He also denied that the fishermen entered Pakistani waters, as it requires a lot of fuel, and it would have been notified to the government in case it happened.

Nadagouda pointed out the possibility of the boat getting robbed by fishermen from another state, and that such incidents have taken place in the past.

Currently, as a temporary measure, seven fishermen families have been given Rs 1 lakh compensation, added the minister. Home minister M B Patil too stated that some clues regarding the missing fishermen and boat are available and cannot be disclosed since the matter is sensitive. He added that a search is on with help of using radio frequencies.

Prayers for missing

fishermen today

For the safe return of the missing fishermen from Malpe, Bajrang Dal, Mangaluru, will organise a mass Hanuman Chalisa chanting programme and prayers on Saturday. It will be held at Hanumantha Temple, Bajilakeri, said Shivananda Mendon, district secretary of Vishwa Hindu Parishad.