Mangalore University adds Kannada lesson on environmentalist Mohiuddin

MANGALURU: Mangalore University (MU) has added a lesson on environmentalist and farmers' rights activist, the late Mohiuddin from Harekala, a small village near Konaje. The lesson titled 'Salumaragala Harekala Mohiuddin,' has been included in the first-year BCA second semester Kannada textbook, under the NEP syllabus.
MU's aim is to spread awareness about a less-known personality among the younger generation, especially his contribution to society, particularly towards farmers and the environment, said Ismath Pajeer, author of the chapter. The lesson in the Kannada textbook, 'Ganaka Mangala-2,' is published by Prasaranga of Mangalore University. Mohiuddin was born in 1934, and died in 1992. His father was a famous 'nati vaidya' (traditional healer), who came from Kerala, and settled in Harekala. He completed his studies at the Karnataka Polytechnic, Mangaluru, and worked as a teacher. He also worked at a firm in Tamil Nadu.
He was terminated from his job, as he was a union leader, and fought for workers' rights. Later, he moved back to Harekala, and stepped into his father's shoes, and continued his father's practice as a 'nati vaidya'. Along with being an activist, he was also an environmentalist, who fought against landlords. He was instrumental in returning agricultural land to those who lost it to landlords. His biggest contribution was his mission of planting saplings in eight villages, including Harkela, Pavoor, Pajeer, Boliyar, Kurnadu Amblamogaru, Munnur and Permannur. He planted saplings along the roadside to Konaje. "Today, the Mangalagangothri campus of Mangalore University in Konaje is green because of Mohiuddin. He was approached by the former vice-chancellor of Mangalore University, Prof Shafiullah. It was Mohiuddin who planted saplings on the campus premise and beside the road,"said Pajeer.
Pajeer said Mohiuddin was awarded The Global 500 Award instituted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 1989. Also, in 1987, the Union government conferred the 'Indira Priyadarshini Vriksha Mitra Award' upon him. "Mohiuddin died in 1992. This lesson is an attempt to keep his works alive," said Pajeer, adding that Mohiuddin has also written three books on medicinal plants. Pajeer's earlier work on Padma Shri awardee Akshara Santha Harekala Hajabba was incorporated by MU as a lesson in its syllabus, as well as by a few other universities of the state and Kerala.