In May 2003, his eldest son Kaushik was killed in a road accident at Sullia. In the same year, when he was Mangalore MP, he became critically ill and was hospitalised for a few months. But recovered miraculously. Tragedy struck his family again when his other son, Karthik, met with an accident in 2008. Though two others travelling with him died, Karthik survived after intensive treatment at Manipal Hospital.
In the subsequent year, thieves broke into Gowda’s Puttur house and decamped with gold and valuables worth a couple of lakhs.
Yet, an indefatigable DVS has lived up to the expectations of a large group of people in the region, locals say.
Gowda’s sister Savithri Jayaram had served as Puttur taluk panchayat president in the last term. Presently, she is a Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat member.