JOIN USFamily begs to raise money for last rites of kin
In an incident straight out of a Sandalwood potboiler, a family had to beg to raise funds to perform the last rites of a pregnant woman in the city on Saturday.
Kulli Maddoori (38), wife of Manju is that unfortunate woman who fell victim to jaundice, thanks to poverty that claimed a life at a dingy hut near Ballal Circle in the city.
Maddoori, from Bamboo Bazaar here, was pushed to streets when she was eight-year-old.
Her parents sold the house 30 years ago. Since then it was a life of nomads for Maddoori. Her husband Manju ekes out a living by repairing stoves.
Maddoori’s life is a tear-jerker. Her elder daughter Gowri, who is eight, is blind by birth. A hut on the footpath of New Kantharaja Urs road near Ballal Circle was their only dwelling, along with eight other families in the neighbourhood.
Maddoori had conceived for her second child and was recently diagnosed of jaundice. Manju in a choked tone said “I couldn’t take my wife even to a government hospital as I cannot meet the demands of the doctors.”
Though Maddoori died at 9 am, Manju and his relatives had to wait for money to meet the expenditure of last rites.
They begged for alms from the passersby keeping the mortal remains of Madoori. It was only after collecting some amount they could perform the last rites purchasing flower, a piece of cloth, etc.,
Manju alleges that the house allotted for him under a scheme went into others hands owing to the greedy officers.
The so called beneficiaries greased the palms of the officers. When asked, the officers are asking to pay Rs 25,000 for the houses at Hanchya Satagalli. “From where can I bring such a huge amount?” asks Manju.
The irony is, the incident has occurred at the constituency of medical education and district in-charge minister S A Ramdas who is eager to allot houses for the students belonging to economically weaker sections and studying in government schools.