Alva’s Education Trust to Adopt 3 Children who Lost Parents in Temple Prasada Tragedy
Mangaluru: Alva’s Education Foundation, Moodbidri, will adopt three children, who lost their parents in the Sulvadi Maramma Temple prasada tragedy in Chamarajanagar, Foundation Chairman Dr M Mohan Alva told the media. Couple Krishna Nayaka and Myli Bai, who died after consuming the ‘poison-laced’ prasada, are survived by three children including two daughters.
The Alva’s Education Foundation will provide them with free education at Alva’s College, along with free food and accommodation. They will also be provided financial assistance of Rs one lakh, he added. College Principal Dr Kurian will soon meet the relatives of the children. The elder daughter Rani Bai is studying B Sc in Mysuru, the second daughter is pursuing BSc (nursing)in Bidadi and youngest son is in PUC. “If the children are willing, they will be provided with an opportunity to pursue post-graduation at Alva’s College. The Foundation will also take responsibility of providing them with employment,” Alva said.
Recalling the incident, the prasada distributed in the Kichgutti Maramma temple in Sulwadi village in Chamarajnagara was poisoned, claim locals. They said an ongoing feud between two factions in the village could be the reason for the tragedy which claimed 11 lives and left 29 others in critical condition. As many as 93 people were admitted to hospitals across Chamarajnagara and Mysuru. Medical experts treating the patients admitted that the symptoms shown are similar to pesticide poisoning cases where patients suffer from vomiting and breathing problems. Dozens of crows were found dead as they had apparently consumed the leftover prasad dumped near the temple.
Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, who visited the victims in Mysuru hospital, called it a case of “sabotage” and ordered a detailed investigation into the incident. He also announced ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the deceased. Meanwhile, samples of the prasada have been sent to the forensic lab and to the Central Food Technology and Research Institute in Mysuru to ascertain the presence and nature of poisoning. According to sources, two persons, Chinnappi (one of the temple trustees) and Maadesh, have been detained by the Ramapura police in connection with the incident.