Memorial service for Mangaluru air crash victims held at '22/5 Park'

Bengaluru, Feb 11: A 36-year-old woman who fought back after being stabbed eight times by a helmet-clad intruder succumbed to injuries at a hospital.

Susheela was in shock after she pulled off the attacker’s helmet as it was her own brother-in-law. Before breathing her last, she explained the sequence of events to the police.

She said her brother-in-law attacked her because he was eyeing their ancestral property worth over Rs 10 crore. “Susheela put up a stiff resistance and identified her assailant. But the stab injuries proved to be fatal,” said a police officer. Based on her statement, Ananth Kumar, 42, was arrested on murder charges.

The attack occurred on February 7 at Honaganahatti village in Tavarekere, off Magadi Road. Susheela, whose husband Gangaraju died in a road accident 12 years ago, was living with her 14-year-old daughter and 75-year-old mother, Rudramma.

On Friday, her daughter had gone to school and Rudramma was sitting outside the house when a man walked in wearing a full-faced helmet and attacked Susheela with a knife. She defended herself with a stick used for making ragi balls and by throwing chilli powder at his face. But the attacker stabbed her on the hand, neck and head. He fled when Susheela identified him and raised an alarm. Neighbours rushed her to a hospital.

During questioning, Kumar reportedly confessed to the crime, saying he wanted to get rid of her as she was not agreeing to sell five acres of their ancestral property.

Susheela’s nephew Kiran G said: “The family owned six acres. Kumar sold one acre for Rs 50 lakh a few years ago after convincing Susheela. He, however, paid her only Rs 5 lakh. Lately, he was pestering Susheela to sell the remaining land as buyers were ready to pay Rs 2.5 crore per acre. But she was hesitating as she had been cheated by him earlier.”

Police are now examining the circumstances under which Gangaraju was killed. “We learnt the driver who had been arrested in connection with Gangaraju’s accident is currently working with Kumar,” said an officer.

She is one of a few beauty queens who give equal importance to both modelling and academic growth. Within months after completing her MBA in Finance and HR, Shifali Saldanha won Miss India Continent 2019 first runner-up and Miss Glory of International 2019 held in Mumbai.

An alumna of St Aloysius College (AIMIT), this 23-year-old Mangalurean is now a much sought after budding model. “I am enjoying the moment and would like to go with the flow,” says the much-loved daughter of Stephen Saldanha and late Anupama Saldanha.

Over the course of past two years, Ms Saldanha has experienced various nerve-wracking moments. She was shattered when her beloved mother lost battle with cancer and bid adieu to the world a couple of years ago. Yet, she serenely braved all the challenges. Her ‘never give up’ attitude helped her to scale new heights amidst misfortunes and pains.

Speaking to coastaldigest.com about her success in Miss India Continent 2019, which was organised by Dr Mahesh Yadav of Aman Gandhi Film Productions, Ms Saldanha said 15 contestants from different parts of the country were shortlisted for the finale, which had five diverse rounds. 

“The meet and greet session was my favourite phase in the competition as it was an opportunity to interact with the participants from different parts of the country,” recalls the multi-talented, who dreams big. 

The leggy lass’ success wasn’t accidental one. A trained singer and multilingual anchor, Ms Saldanha was already a known figure in coastal Karnataka. She had won the titles Miss Karnataka International- Multimedia 2018, and Miss Beautiful Eyes Mangaluru 2018.

Being a moderate feminist, who carries a go-getter attitude, Ms Saldanha calls upon every woman to be optimistic, challenging and goal-focused.

Bengaluru, Apr 10: A Karnataka BJP MP's daughter who recovered from COVID-19 has said she did yoga and ''pranayama'' while in hospital quarantine and these were key to defeating the pandemic.

"I was there in the hospital for 14 days. I used to do Yoga and Pranayama. It helps a lot. Everyone should start doing it now," said Ashwini GS, daughter of Davangere MP GM Siddeshwara.

In a video message that went viral on Thursday, she said coronavirus was "not something to be feared and yoga, pranayama and a strong mental state are the key to defeat the pandemic."

Ms Ashwini tested positive for COVID-19 after she had returned from Guyana last month. She was admitted to the SS Hospital in Davangere where she was quarantined for 14 days.

"Throughout my stay in the hospital I did not have any symptom of coronavirus. I neither sneezed, nor coughed or had a running nose. There was no fever either," Ms Ashwini said.

However, she kept herself physically and mentally fit.

"Maintain social distancing, be aware of dos and don'ts and stay safe," the MP's daughter said.

The AYUSH Ministry's protocol has outlined measures to build a strong immune system and it included consuming warm water, practising yogasana, pranayama and meditation for 30 minutes every day.