Karnataka: Two weeks after dad’s death, newborn loses mother

MYSURU/MANDYA: After nine years of marriage, Nanjunde Gowda and Mamata of Doddenahalli village in Mandya were preparing for the birth of their first child this month with great care, guarding against every risk of infection during the pandemic. The baby was born on May 11, but in a tragic twist, has lost both her parents to Covid.
Gowda, 45, died of Covidrelated complications in Bengaluru on April 30. Mamata, 31, too died of the infection, four days after delivering the baby girl.
“Mamata was rushed to Mandya district hospital for treatment and delivery after she tested Covid positive. She delivered on May 11 but succumbed to the disease on Friday,” said Sadashiva, a local resident. “The body was brought to Doddenahalli and the final rites were held in a farm belonging to Gowda’s family.”
Two brought weeks to ago the , same Gowda farm ’s body in Naga was - mangala taluk and final rites were held. Mamata’s parents took her with them to Bindiganavile village after the funeral and she soon tested positive. The couple, married nine years ago, ran a business in Kolar. Mamata had conceived after several efforts and both families were looking forward to a grandchild, residents said.
Mamata’s brothers have now decided to adopt the girl. Tahsildar Kunhi Ahmed, who visited the family on Saturday, gave them Rs 10,000 and promised all help towards the child’s upbringing. “I was moved by the incident,” said Ahmed who was present for the final rites of Gowda and Mamata. “The baby is now at Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences.”