Except for a visit by Kannada and Culture Minister Mahadeva Prasad, the government doesn’t seem too inclined to do much for the man who enriched literature through his works.

This is the second time that he has been hospitalised in a few weeks. He was earlier admitted on his 88th birthday (August 26), right amidst the celebrations at Kalamandira here, when he complained of uneasiness. This time, the admission into the hospital has left a hole in the pocket of the man who simplified economics for readers in Kannada, but failed to take lessons from his own works.

Whither pension?
“He is in the intensive care unit since he is suffering from acute condition of ulcers. The tests, ward rent, related medical expenses and buying medicines externally, comes close to Rs 3,000 - Rs 4,000 per day, ” says M G R Urs of Chutuku Sahitya Parishat.

Medicines and other things available within the hospital are being provided right now. But, tests and medicines that need to be procured from external sources are running into huge amounts, Urs says.  

“Medical bills apart, HSK needs pension. The government cites technical problems when it comes to that,” says another friend of HSK on condition of anonymity. Writers Nissar Ahmed and De Ja Gow feel the government should help the ailing writer. When contacted, Minister Mahadeva Prasad said: “I visited HSK and spoke to hospital authorities about picking up the medical tab. But, the hospital management was keen on doing it. As far as pension is concerned, we can only help artists, not writers.”

MU in ‘debt’
Though many know that HSK played a major role in bringing out Kannada Vishwakosha -- mammoth information repository published by the University of Mysore, he is yet to be paid for his work. Former principal of Banumaiah’s college, HSK was too glad to take up the work. About 14 volumes of the book were out. Over a period of time, payment issues loomed large and technical reasons were cited to put his payment on hold. The case still lingers.