Belthangady: Bedridden teacher’s 14-year struggle for survival ends

Belthangady: A tragic end has come to a 14-year-long battle for survival as Bharathi (41), a resident of Ubaradka in Kaliya village, passed away on Tuesday night at her residence.

Bharathi, the daughter of the late Kumbila and Lakshmi couple, was critically injured in a horrific accident on July 30, 2010, near Santhekatte Ayyappa Temple and had been bedridden ever since.

Bharathi, who was a guest lecturer at Melantabettu Pre-University College, suffered severe spinal injuries in the accident, rendering her paralyzed from the waist down. For the past 14 years, she endured immense physical and emotional suffering. Recently, her health began to deteriorate further, leading to her demise.

The Tragic Incident

On July 30, 2010, during heavy rainfall, Bharathi and her colleague Jayamala were returning home in an autorickshaw after college hours, when a pickup truck coming from Moodigere rammed into their vehicle Near the Santhekatte Ayyappa Temple. The collision claimed Jayamala’s life on the spot, while Bharathi sustained severe injuries.

Notably, Jayamala had taken the K.A.S. examination, and her posthumous results revealed she had cleared it successfully.

Bharathi, however, was hospitalized for a prolonged period before being discharged. But the injuries had left her paralyzed. Despite her paralysis, she remained mentally resilient, conducting lessons on subjects like accountancy and business studies for students through mobile phone.

A Life of Resilience

For 14 years, Bharathi braved the challenges of her physical condition, maintaining contact with her students and sharing her knowledge whenever possible. However, her health started to decline significantly in recent days, culminating in her passing.

Bharathi is survived by her mother, two brothers, and four sisters. Her demise has left the local community mourning the loss of a determined and inspiring individual.