Activist, motivator, actor Abdul Jabbar Ponnodi loses decade long battle with cancer

coastaldigest.com news network
May 3, 2018

Mangaluru, May 3: The untimely death of this young cancer patient, who was known as a “motivator”, has come as a shock and source of great sadness for his friends and well wishers across Dakshina Kannada and other parts of Karnataka.

Abdul Jabbar aka Abdul Jabbar Ponnodi, who was suffering from a cancer for past 11 years, breathed his last at a private hospital in the city at around 12 a.m. on Thursday. He is survived by his parents, a brother and three sisters.

Hailing from a poor family in Ponnodi village near BC Road in Batnwal taluk of the coastal district, Abdul Jabbar in spite of his illness and unbearable pain in his body, had become an inspiration for many.

Abdul Khader Kukkila, editor of Sanmaarga Kannada weekly, who also happens to be one of the co-brothers of Abdul Jabbar, says that though the Big C didn’t allow the latter even to breathe properly, he used to console other cancer patients and instil courage and confidence in them.

“He married my sister-in-law nearly one and a half years ago. Though the cancer had almost destroyed him, he tried his best to lead a normal life in spite of all his pains. He was talkative and friendly with all. One of his sisters recently completed MBBS thanks to his encouragement,” says Mr Kukkila.

“Cancer is mere a bodily disease. It should be restricted to the body and not the mind...” This was the reply given by the brave Abdul Jabbar to his well wishers when they questioned his decision to act in a movie to create awareness about caner a few months ago after his doctors dropped sufficient hints that he may not live beyond six months.

Abdul Jabbar had recently launched a free YouTube channel, ‘Kannada gadgets’ to share his knowledge with Kannadigas about the features modern gadgets, problems faced by people while operating them and simple solutions.

Kannada writer and director Yogesh Master had hastened to launch the shooting of his new flick Hamasageete which talks about the story of cancer survivors, after realising that Abdul Jababr’s days were numbered.

“I wanted to cast Abdul Jabbar because he’s the real hero,” says Yogesh Master, who had come to know about the “rare fighter” through Facebook. “He was hardworking and never tried to gain sympathy,” the director was quoted as saying by a news paper.

Comments

Kumar
 - 
Thursday, 3 May 2018

Ponnodi sir didnt fail in front of death. Death failed in front of his willpower and positive mind

Ganesh
 - 
Thursday, 3 May 2018

Deep condolences.. No death for the real warrior

Shahir
 - 
Thursday, 3 May 2018

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un. 

Danish
 - 
Thursday, 3 May 2018

Great personality. It's hard to concentrate for other people while having the unbearable pain of cancer

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News Network
August 3,2020

Bengaluru, Aug 3: All those who met Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, who has tested positive for Covid-19, in the last three-four days will have to be quarantined, Medical Education Minister Sudhakar K said on Monday.

He also said those who came in contact with Yediyurappa in a couple of programmes in the past week are being traced.

Sudhakar, a medical doctor himself, said Yediyurappa has "very mild cough and his chest is clear."

"I think eight to ten days," he told news agency when asked how long the Chief Minister would have to remain in hospital.

Sudhakar said he is also getting himself tested as a few of his office staff had tested positive.

"All those who met the Chief Minister in the last 3-4 days...ideally they should be quarantined till they receive their results/report. Those who came in contact with him in a couple of programmes will have to isolate themselves and subject themselves for testing," the Minister said.

On the Chief Minister meeting Governor Vajubhai Vala, along with Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai last Friday, Sudhakar said as a result "They also become primary contacts. Ideally, they should also be quarantined and tested."

Yediyurappa who was hospitalised on Sunday night after testing positive for Covid-19 was "doing well" and is "clinically stable", the hospital treating him said.

The 77-year old leader is being monitored by a team of doctors at the Manipal hospital here.

"He is doing well, is clinically stable and will be monitored closely by our team," the hospital said in a statement late last night.

"I have tested positive for coronavirus. Whilst I am fine, I am being hospitalised as a precaution on the recommendation of doctors. I request those who have come in contact with me recently to be observant and exercise self-quarantine," Yediyurappa had said in his tweet.

Yediyurappa was in home quarantine a couple of weeks ago, after some staff members in his home office were found infected with the virus. Subsequently, he tested negative for Covid-19.

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News Network
May 18,2020

Bengaluru, May 18: Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has called a meeting of Congress Legislature Party (CLP) to discuss various issues related to coronavirus and "failures" of the state government in tackling the outbreak.

The meeting, which will be held on May 19 at 4 pm, will also discuss packages announced by the central and state government, the amendment to the APMC Act by the state cabinet and the cancellation of various schemes including Mathrushree and Santhwana scheme.

Earlier, Siddaramaiah had alleged that the Centre and Karnataka government failed in containing the coronavirus spread despite having enough time for preparations.

Meanwhile, the ongoing nationwide lockdown has been extended till May 31. 

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News Network
July 31,2020

Bengaluru, Jul 31: Gyms in Bengaluru carried out sanitation work on Thursday following the Centre's nod to reopen gyms from August 5, after several weeks of COVID-induced lockdowns.

"We are taking all the precautionary measures prescribed by the government and will follow the guidelines very strictly. A thermal scanner, oximeter and hand sanitizers have been placed at the entrance of the gym. 

We request all other gym owners also to follow the guidelines strictly to keep their members safe and healthy," said Prasad Kumar, a gym owner in Bangalore.

He added, "The last few months have been very difficult for us gym owners and fitness instructors. We are very grateful to the government for allowing us to re-open. 

We are going to be very cautious when we open. Even before this COVID-19 pandemic, we used to sanitise all the equipment before and after every use so hopefully, this won't be too difficult for us. We are getting rid of the air conditioners to allow cross ventilation and open the space a little more."

According to Chandu Gowda, an actor and frequenter of the gym, working out at home was not the same as working out in the gym with the proper equipment.

"I'm very glad that I get to come back and work out as I used to before this lockdown. For an actor, working out is extremely important, not just for my physical health but also mental health. 

Doing exercises at home is never as good as exercising in a space dedicated to one purpose. I hope other members of the gym follow the rules and regulations religiously," Gowda said.

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