Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Dec 7: A heartfelt gesture rooted in gratitude and admiration has brought new hope to an elderly woman in Nadupadavu, Konaje. Moved by the joy of chief minister Siddaramaiah’s recent visit to his modest home, former Konaje gram panchayat president and current member, Nazar Sha Pattori, has taken the initiative to complete a long-stalled house construction for a Dalit woman and name it ‘Siddhu Kuteera’ in honour of the CM.
On December 3, chief minister Siddaramaiah had participated in the Guru-Gandhi Dialogue Centenary programme held at Mangalore University campus. After the event, he visited the residence of Nazar Sha in Nadupadavu for a brief tea meet. Cherishing this moment as one of the most memorable days of his life, Nazar decided to commemorate it by helping bring light into someone else’s life.
The beneficiary, Baagi of Ambedkar Colony in Konaje, had managed to complete her house only up to the lintel level due to financial constraints. Many months had passed with the half-finished structure lying unattended. Determined to support her, Nazar has taken responsibility for completing the house entirely and naming it after the CM, recognising Siddaramaiah as a leader known for his commitment to the poor, marginalised and underprivileged.
Nazar recalled an emotional moment during the CM’s visit when Siddaramaiah, while looking at an album containing memories of Nazar’s late friend Chandra, placed his hand on his shoulder and said, “This is our duty; humanity is greater than caste or religion.” Nazar said the gesture left him with deep contentment.
Calling the CM’s visit a golden day of his life, Nazar stated that the chief minister’s presence in the home of an ordinary party worker reflects his simplicity and people-first approach. “Many questioned how such a tall leader came to my home, but Siddaramaiah is a people’s CM, and it is natural for him to visit common people,” he said. Nazar also credited Speaker U T Khader for facilitating the CM’s visit.
Speaking emotionally about his late friend Chandra, a resident of Ambedkar Colony and a loyal party worker who supported him through four gram panchayat elections, Nazar said he had tried his best to save him during his battle with cancer. “He should have been here to witness this moment,” he said with tears. Following Speaker Khader’s direction, he had brought Chandra’s wife and children to his home during the CM’s visit. Chandra’s son and Nazar’s son study in the same school, a bond Nazar says will inspire their friendship for generations. Chandra’s wife has also been assisted with a job at the taluk office, with guidance to apply for a government post when eligible.
Nazar added that Siddaramaiah appreciated the display of brotherhood in Dakshina Kannada when he learned, through photos, of how Nazar had also lost his own brother abroad and how the community had stood together during the crisis.
With the construction of ‘Siddhu Kuteera’, Nazar hopes to create a lasting tribute to a day he will never forget—while honouring the values of compassion, unity and service that the visit inspired in him.