Bengaluru: Veteran literary figure ‘Nadoja’ Kamala Hampana, aged 89, passed away at her residence in Rajajinagar on Saturday. She reportedly died in her sleep.

Kamala Hampana is survived by her husband, well-known writer Hampa Nagarajaiah. Arrangements have been made for a public viewing at her residence until the evening. In accordance with her wishes, her body will be donated to Ramaiah Medical College.

Kamala Hampana was a distinguished Kannada writer, scholar and professor. She was the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including the Karnataka Sahitya Akademi Award and the Nadoja Award.

Throughout her 60-year career, Kamala Hampana was involved with education, literature, speech and research. While she undertook study and research across all genres of Kannada literature, contributing significantly to each, she reached great heights through her works in contemporary Kannada literature.

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Her notable accolades include the chairmanship of the 71st All India Kannada Sahitya Sammelana held in Moodbidri in 2003, the Danachintamani Attimabbe Award conferred by the state government, and the Nadoja Award from Hampi Kannada University, in recognition of her enduring and valuable contributions.

Kamala Hampana's 60 published works include drama, stories, and scholarly texts, in addition to nine other voluminous works. Her modern poetry collections include "Bindali," "Bugudi," and "Bayalu." She also authored two English books, "Attimabbe and Chalukyas" and "Jainism and Other Essays."

Numerous dignitaries, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, have expressed their condolences on her passing.

The Minister for Welfare of Backward Classes and Kannada and Culture, Shivaraj Tangadagi, expressed deep grief over Kamala Hampana's death. "Kamala's entire family has made a unique contribution to the Kannada cultural world. May God give strength to her family to bear the sorrow of this loss. The Kannada cultural world will always remember her with respect," he said in his condolence message.

 

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New Delhi (PTI): Suspended for four years due to his "refusal" to provide sample for dope test, Olympic medallist Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia on Wednesday said it was a vindictive move by the government which would quash the ban if he joins the BJP.

NADA said Bajrang violated the rules by refusing to give sample during selection trials for the national team on March 10.

The anti-doping body had first suspended the Tokyo Games bronze medallist wrestler on April 23 for the offence following which, the sport's world governing body UWW had also slapped him with a suspension.

"It is not shocking because this issue about trial has been going on for last one year. I have said in the past too that I have not refused to give sample to NADA. When they visited my home to conduct the dope test, they came with an expiry kit (in December, 2023). I have also posted this on social media," Barjrang told reporters.

Punia, along with fellow wrestler and Olympian Vinesh Phogat, have joined the Congress Party earlier this year.

Bajrang added in his defence, "You can't give expiry kit to any player and as far as I am concerned, my team was there, so they saw it. They came carrying expiry kits dated 2020, 2021, 2022.

"I gave my urine sample but then my team checked the kit and found out that it was expired. So we made a video of the kit and we mailed NADA, called them to inform about the mistake. But they did not accept their mistake."

The wrestler alleged that the government is looking to get back at them for their involvement in the long-drawn sit-in protest against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, a BJP politician.

"I also feel that because of our protest in support of the women wrestlers, they are trying to exact revenge because all the agencies are fall under the purview of the government.

"I have been competing for the last 10-12 years and I have given sample during all tournaments, during the India camps. But the government's motive is to break us, make us bow down to them. If I join the BJP then I think all my bans will be lifted," Bajrang claimed.

The suspension means that Bajrang will not be able to return to competitive wrestling or apply for a coaching job abroad, if he aspires to, till April 22, 2028.