Bus operator holds ‘Karunya Yatra’ to aid teacher’s cancer treatment

Mangaluru: In a heartwarming gesture, a private bus operator donated an entire day's earnings to support the cancer treatment of Prashanth Rai,41, a Hindi teacher at Mundithadka school in Badiyadka of the neighbouring Kasargod district in Kerala.
Abdul Azeez, owner of the Sangam bus, the only service operating from Pallam in Kasaragod, launched a donation drive titled ‘Karunya bus Yatra', which began at 7.30am from the Pallam bus stand. He said that the bus would operate on its regular route, covering Neerchal, Madhur, Uliyathadka, Kasaragod, Perla, and Badiyadka, making multiple trips throughout the day. Instead of issuing tickets, passengers were encouraged to drop their fare or an additional amount into a donation bucket placed on the bus.
Azeez said the initiative was inspired by his father, Bapunhi Master, and recalled a similar campaign held a decade ago to help an accident victim. "Our family unanimously decided to support the teacher. This is the only bus on this route, which also passes by the famous Madhur temple and through four panchayats," he said, adding that teacher Prashanth Rai is a popular face and they are showing their support for the campaign that the entire village has rallied for. Azeez spent the entire day travelling on the bus.
TOI reported on Sunday that villagers already raised close to Rs 42 lakh for Rai's treatment. The ongoing fundraising campaign gained momentum after social worker Fayaz Madoor and his team from Mangaluru stepped in as a pillar of support to the teacher's family, taking up the initiative to raise Rs 75 lakh. As of Wednesday evening, they raised around Rs 70 lakh. Rai, who is battling blood cancer, requires CAR T-cell therapy — a specialised and costly treatment. Fayaz also hopes to accompany Rai to Delhi to explore more options regarding his treatment.