Karnataka: Girl celebrates 8th birthday at dad’s samadhi in Koppal

KOPPAL: Having lost her father to Covid-19 more than three months ago, little Spandana couldn’t think of celebrating her eighth birthday without his presence. The extended family of over a dozen people went to his samadhi in Koppal district’s Kushtagi taluk and held a solemn event with Spandana cutting the cake on Wednesday morning.
Standing in front of the grave, Spandana Konasagar paid rich tributes to her father: “I feel my father is still around, watching and blessing me on this special day.It’s a memorable event in my life and I will come here to seek my father’s blessings on all special occasions.” Fighting off tears, the girl’s mother Roopa said: “I lost my husband Mahesh Konasagar, a social worker, in May. After attending a political rally, he developed a fever. Later, doctors said he has tested positive for Covid and he died on May 13. He was laid to rest in our family farmland.”

Only child of her parents, Spandana said her father would always celebrate her birthday in a grand way. “I couldn’t believe when my mother told me about his death. I miss him a lot.” Roopa said Spandana took long to come to terms with the tragedy. “When we decided to celebrate her eighth birthday at home, Spandana expressed desire to have it at the samadhi,” she added.