Muammar Gaddafi: Charming but cruel, recalls Kasargod doctor

[email protected] (News Network)
October 21, 2011

gaddu

Kasargod, October 21: The world knew him as an impulsive tyrant but Dr Mundol Abdulla's first impression of Gadaffi was of a friendly, charming man and cooperative patient.

The 70-year-old doctor from Kasargod, Kerala, revised his opinion only after seeing the bodies of dissidents and students hanging in public places.

In 1973, Dr Abdulla was appointed by Tripoli to run a clinic at Abu Hadhi near Sirte. Two months later, Gaddafi visited the clinic, complaining of a headache. Dr Abdulla prescribed Aspirin tablets, which apparently worked since Gadaffi praised him to his wife, saying the Indian doctor had solved his problem. Col was a gracious host, says Indian doc

Dr Mundol Abdulla, a doctor from Kerala who was among the 17 physicians appointed by the Libyan government, says Muammar Gaddafi would visit his clinic in Sirte regularly, though the exact date and time of his visit would never be revealed in advance due to security reasons.

On several occasions, he also invited Dr Abdulla and his wife to his residence in Sirte. "He was a gracious host, personally serving tea and snacks," recalls Dr Abdulla.

However, Gaddafi always feared assassination and never hesitated to take brutal action against any perceived threat, recalls the doctor. "Once, bodies of university students were kept hanging on the campus for a week as an example to others," he recalls with a shudder. Of course, Dr Abdulla made sure to not reveal his opinion to his unpredictable patient.

Eventually, Gadaffi's growing paranoia brought an end to his visits and the Abdulla lost touch with him. They returned to India in 1980, but almost 30 years on, pictures of a bloodied corpse on TV revived old memories for the family.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
March 21,2020

Mangaluru, Mar 21: Taking strict measures to contain the spreading of COVID-19, Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner Sindhu B Rupesh, who is also District Magistrate, ordered sealing of road connectivity leading to Kerala State for all kinds of traffic from March 21 to midnight of March 31.

No vehicles will be allowed to operate between Dakshina Kannada and Kasaragod district in Kerala, the Deputy Commissioner said in a late-night order on Friday.

Ms. Rupesh said that in case of any emergency, vehicles will be allowed only through the Talapady check post on the National Highway 66, which is about 17 km away from Mangaluru city.

The Deputy Commissioner’s order came after the Kasaragod district reported six COVID-19 positive cases on Friday.

The order said that many vehicles operated between Kasaragod in Kerala and Mangaluru and hence, there is a need to take precautionary measures.

Private buses to not ply

Private bus operators in Dakshina Kannada will not operate their buses on March 22 to support the ‘Janata Curfew’ called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Dilraj Alva, president, Dakshina Kananda Bus Operators’ Association, said in a release on Friday that people should remain in their homes on Sunday to help contain the community spreading of COVID-19. The decision has been taken in the interest of the public, he said.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
June 5,2020

Bengaluru, Jun 5: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Thursday said government employees and owners of tractors and other vehicles must return the BPL ration cards immediately, failing which stringent legal action would be initiated against them.

The CM issued directions in this regard to officials as he conducted a review meeting of the Food and Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs department today. Proper supply of ration must be ensured to eligible beneficiaries and action has to be taken to prevent misuse of the facility by those not eligible, Yediyurappa was quoted as saying by his office in a release.

Nearly 63,000 ration cards were cancelled before the COVID-19 outbreak, he noted and directed officials to initiate a campaign to cancel all illegal ration cards. "this campaign would help in curtailing the financial burden on the State's reserves," he added.

In the backdrop of coronavirus pandemic, both the Central and State governments have distributed sufficient quantities of ration, and about 95 percent ration cardholders have availed the benefit, the release said. Under the Chief Ministers Anila Bhagya Scheme, 98,079 beneficiaries have been given 3 gas cylinders free of cost, it said.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
March 28,2020

Mangaluru, Mar 28: Dakshina Kannada District observed a total shutdown on Saturday with closure of all shops, barring milk booths and pharmacy, to prevent spread of deadly Coronavirus.

The Central Market, a hub of activities where vegetables, groceries, flowers are sold, remained closed. Despite the milk booths and pharmacies being exempted from the purview of bandh, only a few milk booths remained open here.

The administration decided to go far bandh ion the wake of people failing to follow the lockdown guidelines of maintaining social distance and some wandering on the streets without valid reason. Moreover, there was increase in the number of corona cases despite measures taken, Deputy Commissioner Sindhu B Rupesh said.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.