A 97-year-old farmer of Posampatti near Athavathur in Tiruchi district has set an example in taking up ‘kudimaramathu’ works without expecting any support from the government.
V.P.P. Posan is full of energy and enthusiasm as he steps into No. 32 supply canal of Old Kattalai Mettuvaical — which is just six years away from celebrating 100 years of its existence — for desilting on Tuesday.
His ripe-old age has in no way dampened his spirit in clearing the accumulated silt and thick bushes grown on the canal. He was instrumental in bringing together a group of like-minded farmers of Posampatti and Koyyathoppu to desilt the canal that they term as their lifeline.
The group began the desilting work on Friday. It works meticulously in clearing the silt along a four-km stretch and is confident that there will be hurdles to irrigating 500 acres in Posampatti and Koyyathoppu, where they propose to raise paddy.
Locals, including septuagenarians and octogenarians, say Mr. Posan is a regular in participating in ‘kudimaramathu’ work every year. Barring a few years, he has been doing it for more than 60 years without expecting any financial support from the government or others.