Mangalore: Meet Eramma, native of Kuttettoor blessed with qualities of Mother Theresa
Special report
Bellevision Media Network
Mangalore, 18 Aug 2014: The woman is never hapless……….she is empowered and capable of doing extraordinary tasks. The Sanskrit Shlokha, ‘Yatra Naryastu Pujyante Ramante Tatra Devataha,’ exemplifies the human virtues of woman. It means that when women are revered on earth, it would bring spiritual bliss to mankind. Meanwhile, there is a woman, fondly called as ‘Amma’ at a time girls and woman are subjected to all kinds of atrocities despite advancement in society. It would not be wrong to call her Mother Theresa of twenty-first century. She is none other than Erammakka yane Eramma Devadiga, residing at Kuttettoor, near here. She was an expert midwife for hundreds of pregnant woman to deliver their babies.
Seventy-six-year-old Eramma is energetic and busy at all time. She makes brooms out of raw tendu leaves and also weaves. She keeps herself busy doing several tasks at a time. Eramma and Sankappa couple has 11 children. She has been engaged in humanitarian service for over half a century.
Expert midwife
The city lacked healthcare services and one cannot imagine the state of affairs in rural villages at the outskirts of Mangalore city in the past. At the changed circumstances now, the city has both state-run hospitals and equally competing private hospitals. In the past, the mortality rate was high, as the critically ill patients, pregnant women; ailing children from rural villages cannot making to the hospitals in the city in time. The doctors and nurses were also not many in state-run hospitals in city and there were hardly any private hospitals. Its about 4 to 5 decades ago, Eramma was in great demand to help pregnant woman to deliver their babies, sometimes risking both lives. However, Eramma was quite successful in her task.
Traditional medicinal practitioner
Eramma was an expert in traditional medicines and was able to effectively treat, many minor ailments for both pregnant women and their newborn babies. She was well known for treating epilepsy. She explored the medicinal values in plants and shrubs, roots in the woods and was a succor to rural folks in case of ailments.
Eramma’s expertise in medicinal practice was sought by the people of Kuttettoor, Bala, Soorinje, Kaikamba and surrounding villages of Hatroor. The parents of ailing children were used to take Eramma and in other cases when health of pregnant woman gets deteriorated. She has still retained her youthful energy even now.
Honor
The social welfare and voluntary organizations have recognized the social concern and humanitarian qualities of Eramma. JCI – Suratkal, Padupadav Yuvaka Mandala and Vanita Seva Samaja, Bunts Sangh, Mahila Vedike – Suratkal, and other organizations have honored Eramma already.