Mangaluru: When Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman shoot down an F-16 fighter from a less-advanced MiG-21 fighter jet, this 40-year-old laundry man Kushalappa, a resident of Sunnaje in Barya village in Beltangady taluk was thrilled a lot. But, when Pakistan informed that it has shot down two Indian jets and taken one Indian pilot into custody, this laundry man prayed for the safe return of the pilot as the rest of Indian. Soon after Abhinandan was released by Pakistan on March 1, he decided to keep the same name to his newly-built house.
Kushalappa has constructed a new house with his hard-earned money at Sunnaje in Barya village. Earlier, he had planned to keep the name of his parents or his kids to his new house. When the whole country’s prayer for the safe return of Abhinandan was answered, Kushalappa had decided the name for his house.
Kushalappa was forced to discontinue his education at ninth standard as his financial condition was very poor. Hence, he could not join the military forces, despite his interest. However, his love for security forces did not go down. When Abhinandan was captured by the Pakistan military forces, he was watching news channels on his smartphone, despite the work at his laundry shop. ” When Abhinandan was released, I decided to name my house after him”, he says.
Kushalappa has two children, Bukshitha and Navith. While Bukshitha is studying in SSLC, Navith is studying in eighth standard. Kushalappa, who has the utmost respect for the military, has a dream of enrolling his son into armed forces. “Though my son is studying in the eighth standard, he watches television and always speaks about the dispute between India and Pakistan. This shows his interest for joining the military. If God wills, I am ready to enrol my son to serve the nation through the armed forces”, he adds.
‘It is not for the publicity, but to inspire others’
When newskarnataka.com contacted Kushalappa over telephone, he clarified that he had not decided to name his house after Abhinandan for the sake of publicity. “When I informed my family about the decision, my wife Devika, parents Annu Poojary and Sundari and my two kids felt very happy. People should cultivate the habit of respecting our nation and our security forces. Abhinandan is our hero and there is nothing wrong in commemorating his bravery”, he adds.
Kushalappa has two laundry shops at Uppinangady and Kakkepadavu. The house warming ceremony of Kushalappa’s newly built home will be held on April 10. The invitation of the house warming ceremony itself has an image of Abhinandan. “The photograph and the name of Abhinandan should inspire our young people to join the security forces”, Kushalappa adds.
