Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Jun 28: Deputy librarian of Mangalore University, Dr Siddalingappa S Kumbar (46), allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself in Konaje in the University campus, on Wednesday June 26. Kumbar was a native of Bijapur.

He was not to be seen since Wednesday morning. His family members, who came to know that he did not attend office that day, went in search of him in Konaje area. His body was found hanging from a tree near the water tank on a hillock within the university campus on Thursday June 27 morning.

Kumbar accompanied by wife, Revamma, had visited his hometown, Bijapur, a few days back to visit his ailing sister. While he returned with children, his wife stayed back. Thereafter, his sister breathed her last. In a report filed at Konaje police station, Revamma suspected that her husband would have taken this step, as he was emotionally overtaken at not being able to pay his last respects to his sister after her death. Kumbar could not visit Bijapur again after his sister’s death, as it would have disturbed the education of his children, it is learnt.

After working as an assistant librarian in the library of Mangalore University from 1991 to 2007, Kumbar had been promoted as deputy librarian in 2007. He had secured first rank in post-graduate degree in library and information science, and had won the S A Manvi Brothers gold medal for this feat. He was a member of Dakshina Kannada and Kodagu Library Association, Indian Library Association, Society of Information Science, as well as Karnataka State University Librarians Association. He was granted PhD for his thesis on ‘Circulation Service in the University Libraries in Karnataka’.