HASSAN/BENGALURU: As former prime minister HD Deve Gowda’s campaign entourage reached the backyard of Maramma temple at Manchikanahalli here, the nonagenarian asked for his customised jeep to be stopped. He partook in the aarti performed at the temple. Flanked by his grandsons — Suraj and Prajwal Revanna — and helped by security staff, Gowda made it to the dais, where he addressed the gathering for over half an hour.A month shy of his 91st birthday, Gowda has battled health issues in recent times. A kidney ailment a few years ago, troublesome knees and hospitalisation for respiratory issues in Feb this y ear may have physically slowed Gowda down, but not mentally.
“I’m 91. I have issues with my knees but for this fight, God has given me mental strength. Naanu ondu huttu horatagara (I’m a born fighter),” he said in his public address a t Manchikanahalli. So, what keeps the seasoned politician, probably the oldest star campaigner in the country, going?
Passion, according to Suraj. “He is very passionate about people’s causes, with water being an issue, he has been fighting for years. His age notwithstanding, you cannot keep him away from people,” the MLC told STOI.
Over the past couple of weeks, the JD(S) founder has been addressing on average four election rallies (30-45 minutes each) in a day. He transverses villages in searing heat for about eight ho urs a day. But a lot goes on behind the scenes. He travels in a custom-made vehicle fitted with low steps, and a cushion bar for him to lean on comfortably. A well-equipped ambulance with nursing staff is part of his entourage. A dietitian monitors his food, and his staff carry a bag of healthy refreshments.
Early start, simple meals
Gowda is up by 6am and reads the Aditya Hrudayam, a collection of spiritual literature saluting the sun, for an hour. After catching up with news and family, he has a simple south Indian breakfast of idli or dosa with a portion of vegetables.
Unlike most others, Gowda’s campaign isn’t charted. Instead, according to a close aide, his daily schedule is impromptu. Once he hits the campaign trail, he keeps himself hydrated with homemade buttermilk, warm water and watermelon.
“We usually have lunch at a party worker’s house. By now most people know that he prefers eating mudde (ragi ball) and soppu saaru (greens curry), which is his staple” revealed Suraj.
In Hassan, Gowda stays in his ancestral village Haradanahalli, where he also holds late-evening meetings with party workers.
Dinner again is some greens, upma or fruits.
Asked what keeps his morale high, Gowda said, “I’m the son of a farmer. We’ve come up through hard work. I’m not in a situation where I’m bedridden.”
He attributes his activeness to his lifestyle. “I was against cruelty towards animals and hence turned vegetarian more than 50 years ago. I’m diabetic and suffer from hypertension, so I want what I eat and keep it simple,” he added.
“I’m 91. I have issues with my knees but for this fight, God has given me mental strength. Naanu ondu huttu horatagara (I’m a born fighter),” he said in his public address a t Manchikanahalli. So, what keeps the seasoned politician, probably the oldest star campaigner in the country, going?
Passion, according to Suraj. “He is very passionate about people’s causes, with water being an issue, he has been fighting for years. His age notwithstanding, you cannot keep him away from people,” the MLC told STOI.
Over the past couple of weeks, the JD(S) founder has been addressing on average four election rallies (30-45 minutes each) in a day. He transverses villages in searing heat for about eight ho urs a day. But a lot goes on behind the scenes. He travels in a custom-made vehicle fitted with low steps, and a cushion bar for him to lean on comfortably. A well-equipped ambulance with nursing staff is part of his entourage. A dietitian monitors his food, and his staff carry a bag of healthy refreshments.
Early start, simple meals
Gowda is up by 6am and reads the Aditya Hrudayam, a collection of spiritual literature saluting the sun, for an hour. After catching up with news and family, he has a simple south Indian breakfast of idli or dosa with a portion of vegetables.
Unlike most others, Gowda’s campaign isn’t charted. Instead, according to a close aide, his daily schedule is impromptu. Once he hits the campaign trail, he keeps himself hydrated with homemade buttermilk, warm water and watermelon.
“We usually have lunch at a party worker’s house. By now most people know that he prefers eating mudde (ragi ball) and soppu saaru (greens curry), which is his staple” revealed Suraj.
In Hassan, Gowda stays in his ancestral village Haradanahalli, where he also holds late-evening meetings with party workers.
Dinner again is some greens, upma or fruits.
Asked what keeps his morale high, Gowda said, “I’m the son of a farmer. We’ve come up through hard work. I’m not in a situation where I’m bedridden.”
He attributes his activeness to his lifestyle. “I was against cruelty towards animals and hence turned vegetarian more than 50 years ago. I’m diabetic and suffer from hypertension, so I want what I eat and keep it simple,” he added.