Due to the social stigma attached, the villagers could not take part in public functions, dine in hotels in other villages or get any marriage proposals. But now, all this is fast changing. Leprosy has been stemmed at 3 cases per 10,000 population in the village and concerted efforts are on to bring this figure to zero.

The high incidence of leprosy in the village is stated to be due to the forced settlement of the `leprosy-afflicted' from Tamil Nadu.

The efforts of Multi Drug Therapy Society and various other voluntary organisations have also helped in reducing the incidence in Mysore and Chamrajnagar districts, which had more than 15,000 casesscattered in all the 13 taluks.

However, the eradication of leprosy has dispelled the social stigma towards the patients and the blind belief that the diseases is hereditary in nature.

Mysore district, which had 9,769 cases in 1989, with a prevalence of 3.9 per cent has come down to 222 cases with a prevalence of 0.10 per cent. While in Chamarajnagar district, with a population of 8.5 lakh and 6,259 cases, leprosy cases have come down to 275 with a prevalence of 0.31 per cent. In addition to this, more than 16,000 cases with leprosy symptoms are given treatment.

The following is the prevalence of leprosy in Mysore district: K R Nagar 0.03 per cent, Periyapatna 0.02, Hunsur 0.03, Mysore 0,07, Nanjangud 0.26, T Narasipura 0.22 and H D Kote 0.14 per cent which is considered to be less than the national average.

However, the Union Government, which had introduced the leprosy eradication programme in 1997, has decided to concentrate on T Narasipura and Nanjangud areas which had highest number of cases andalso where prevalence is more compared to any other taluks in both the districts.

Mysore and Chamrajanagar districts, which had recorded highest number of leprosy cases, would soon reach zero per cent and will be declared a leprosy-free area.

Various organisations in the area are involved in identification and treatment and a meticulous follow-up is also taken up with the setting up of control centres in all the taluks to conduct survey by trained para-medical staff.

Dr Devraj of MDTS said that the patients are given case cards with regular check-ups and required drugs. He says leprosy, which was once a dreaded disease, could be cured in six months.

As for their rehabilitation, these patients has been restricted to a pair of slippers, sun glasses and pension. But they have been demanding Government employment. The Government had, in a symbolic gesture, accommodated a couple from Kollegal and Gundlupet taluks.

Zilla Panchayat CEO B P Kaniram said the Government is making its best efforts to explorepossibility to provide jobs and added that a proposal has been prepared to recruit leprosy patients in D group category and also in post of watchman to newly constructed hostels.