Mangaluru: All these families were left in lurch due to floods and this house came as a silver lining.
Now, with the flood water receding, all the families, barring one have returned to their village with a heavy heart. Sheenappa Gowda, who has suffered a paralytic stroke will continue to live at Jalajakshi’s house for a few more days.
Among the 11 families sheltered at Jalajakshi’s house, two are Dalit families. One of them is Seethamma, who is 102-year-old and is a resident of Makki. The 100-year-old house took everybody under its roof for 10 days.
Jalajakshi, the owner of this house, gave all the relief materials equally when they packed their bags to return home.
How they received shelter in this house?
Venkatramana Gowda, elder brother of Jalajakshi was engaged in rescuing flood victims of Malavanthige village on August 9. While some flood victims were shifted to the gruel centre (Ganji Kendra) of Kukkavu Higher Primary School, some others went to their relatives’ house. As Jalajakshi’s house was built nearly 100 years ago and it has lot of space, some people expressed their desire to shift there. When Venkatramana Gowda sought the permission of his sister Jalajakshi, she readily agreed. Hence, a total of 57 persons of 11 families stayed at this house.
Jalajakshi is now just like ‘Amma’ to all
The victims who received shelter at Jalajakshi’s house consider her as ‘Amma’, (mother) for her hospitality. Annu Malekudiya, recalling the hospitality received at the house expressed his pleasure and informed that he was returning to his house with a heavy heart. Meanwhile, he also informed that he would not forget the help of Jalajakshi and her family members for his lifetime.
Speaking to Newskarnataka.com Jalajakshi informed that she was fortunate to serve all those people. “By God’s grace, we were at the safe location during the incident, which helped us to provide shelter to the flood victims. When my brother informed about the people who remained stranded at different places, I asked him to bring them to our home. Though we have provided them shelter, the other expenditure was borne by the donors only “, she said.
Venkatramana Gowda when contacted recalled the horrific incident of the flood, which devastated the lives of hundreds of people. “Though we have rescued and shifted several families to safer locations, we got the cooperation of all. We got an opportunity to shelter the flood victims, which was the decision of God himself. We were with the flood victims and we lived like a family for 10 days. As they have to return to their homes now, we will bid adieu with heavy heart”, he said.
