<p>It’s her third leg that draws the crowds at fairs across North Karnataka. Shivashankari does a bit of glib talk and says she is ready to give a prize of Rs 5,000 to anyone who can disprove her case is not a miracle.<br /><br />The woman is taking part in the Durgadevi fair that is on at the Gaddinakeri thanda near the city. <br /><br />The collection at the ticket counter wherever she goes is her means for livelihood. Born to Yamanappa and Kariyamma of Konal S K village near Ilkal in Hungund taluk, she had three legs at birth. <br /><br />Her parents, who were from a poor background, could not provide Shivashankari proper medical treatment. This resulted in the third leg, which was smaller in the beginning and grew with time. <br /><br />To add to her misery, she lost her parents at a young age and grew up under her brother’s care. <br /><br />However, the third leg is half the size of the other two normal legs and has nine toes. <br /><br />Shivashankari moves about on her own with a slight difficulty and does her daily chores without assistance.<br /><br />“I am getting Rs 400 from the government as pension for the disabled. But that’s not enough to lead a life of dignity,” she told Deccan Herald. <br /><br />Her third leg is between the other two. A doctor from Hubli inserted a pipe into her navel when she was three to help her pass urine. <br /><br />Shivashankari’s brother Balappa Yamanappa Maratageri and his son Hanumantha look after her.</p>
<p>It’s her third leg that draws the crowds at fairs across North Karnataka. Shivashankari does a bit of glib talk and says she is ready to give a prize of Rs 5,000 to anyone who can disprove her case is not a miracle.<br /><br />The woman is taking part in the Durgadevi fair that is on at the Gaddinakeri thanda near the city. <br /><br />The collection at the ticket counter wherever she goes is her means for livelihood. Born to Yamanappa and Kariyamma of Konal S K village near Ilkal in Hungund taluk, she had three legs at birth. <br /><br />Her parents, who were from a poor background, could not provide Shivashankari proper medical treatment. This resulted in the third leg, which was smaller in the beginning and grew with time. <br /><br />To add to her misery, she lost her parents at a young age and grew up under her brother’s care. <br /><br />However, the third leg is half the size of the other two normal legs and has nine toes. <br /><br />Shivashankari moves about on her own with a slight difficulty and does her daily chores without assistance.<br /><br />“I am getting Rs 400 from the government as pension for the disabled. But that’s not enough to lead a life of dignity,” she told Deccan Herald. <br /><br />Her third leg is between the other two. A doctor from Hubli inserted a pipe into her navel when she was three to help her pass urine. <br /><br />Shivashankari’s brother Balappa Yamanappa Maratageri and his son Hanumantha look after her.</p>
