Gadag Teenager's Honesty Wins Hearts After Historic Discovery
A remarkable story of integrity emerged from Gadag district in Karnataka. A 14-year-old boy named Prajwal Basavaraj Ritti found himself at the center of an unexpected historical discovery. He and his mother, Gangavva Ritti, were digging on their family land in Lakkundi village. They planned to build a small house. Their simple excavation work led to an extraordinary find.
An Accidental Treasure Trove
Gangavva Ritti works as a labourer. She is a widow raising her son alone. The family owns a piece of land in Lakkundi. This village has deep historical roots. It was once part of the Rashtrakuta and Chalukya empires between the 6th and 10th centuries.
The mother and son started digging to lay the foundation for their new home. They wanted a roof over their heads. Workers helped them with the excavation. After digging about five feet deep, a pickaxe struck something hard. A metallic clang echoed from the earth.
They uncovered a pot. It contained shining gold ornaments. Alongside it, they found a collection of copper artefacts and rare stones. The total haul included 466 grams of gold jewellery and 634 grams of copper items.
A Boy's Principled Decision
Prajwal is a Class 8 student. He did not let the glitter of gold cloud his judgment. The young boy carefully collected all the items. He took them to the pooja room in their current house. He locked them away safely.
After discussing with his family, Prajwal made a firm decision. He would hand over the entire treasure to the authorities. The boy personally delivered the artefacts to the Gadag district administration. His act of honesty immediately caught public attention.
Government Recognition and Support
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah praised the teenager's integrity. He stated that the boy's honesty is greater than any treasure. Law Minister HK Patil, who oversees Gadag district, visited the Ritti family on Tuesday. He assured them of government support and honour.
The government is considering a suitable reward for Prajwal. Officials indicated they might provide compensation worth 20% of the treasure's value to the family. Gangavva Ritti has made a humble request. She does not want the treasure itself. Instead, she seeks permission to continue building their house on the land. She also asked for financial assistance and a government job for her son.
Historical Significance and Controversy
Lakkundi is located about 12 kilometers from Gadag town and 75 kilometers from Hubballi. It is a village of roughly 20,000 people. Floriculture is the main occupation here. The area is known for its rich archaeological heritage.
Following the initial discovery, local collector Basappa Badiger traced additional antique items. All precious objects were handed over to the government over the weekend. This find is part of the Lakkundi antiquities collection programme. Villagers have already surrendered more than 1,100 historical items to authorities under this initiative.
The discovery sparked a brief controversy. An ASI official initially suggested the jewellery should go to the family. This prompted some relatives to make demands. However, the deputy director of the state archaeological department clarified the law. According to Karnataka's ancient monuments rules, any item found underground must be treated as treasure. The ASI official later apologized for his statement.
What the Treasure Contains
The collection includes several valuable items:
- Gold Jewellery: 22 pieces including a bracelet, rings, bangles, and a deep, heavy necklace. Their exact value remains unassessed.
- Copper Artefacts: Details have not been made public yet.
- Rare Stones: Pearls, coral, sapphire, crystal, white coral, and black stone were found alongside the metals.
Sources believe the treasure is more than a century old. The abandoned land where it was found legally belongs to the Ritti family. They intended to build a 640-square-foot house on this plot.
Prajwal Basavaraj Ritti has become the toast of Gadag. His story demonstrates that character can outshine even the brightest gold. The government's promised reward will hopefully bring some comfort to this honest family as they continue their struggle for a better life.
