Team Mangalorean - Bantwal

Bantwal: Ganga (102), wife of the late Krishna Purusha of Deppini Kurumbala near Vittal, passed away at her residence on July 20.

She was a skilled self-trained midwife and is said to have helped hundreds of women in undergoing comfortable childbirth, with follow-up in post-natal care. She did it in an era when there were no gynaecologists or hospitals around, for over five decades, and absolutely free of cost.

A large number of women around the area gratefully recall her midwifery assistance in having trouble-free delivery, in contrast to modern-day Caesarean ways.

In recognition of her service, the state government sanctioned her the privilige of monthly honorarium. She is survived by a son and a daughter.