Parents sold fruits to bring up IAS officer DK Ravi

Doddakoppalu: Ravi was prompt and sincere, said Honnappa, uncle of the deceased IAS officer DK Ravi.  He gave his family an allowance of Rs 5000 after he became an IAS officer.

"Before that, it was just Rs 500 to Rs 1000 each month. His mother, Gowramma, was forced to take a loan of Rs 20,000 from a co-operative." Money was sparse as Ravi grew up, for his parents sold cheese, jackfruit, papaya and green leaves in Hulliyudurga to make a living. Ravi would help his parents with their work during the holidays.

Despite dealing with the tremendous loss brought about by the death of their son, Ravi's parents have plenty of fight left in them. His aunt, Yashodamma, said that the family will not withdraw the protest until they get justice. They have vowed to intensify the agitation if the government fails to hand over the case to the CBI.

“My mother went through so much to raise Ravi but it has amounted to nothing. My brother has worked to save public property, but the government failed to protect him. They are supporting the land-mafia by not allowing a CBI probe into his death,” said Ravi’s sister, Bharati.

Although he studied the Higher Primary School in Bandihalli, some distance away from home, Ravi visited as often as he could – he was there on Feb 13 for the annual festival ‘Muniyappa Habba’. Doddakoplu is a small village and discontent has seeped into the tightly-knit community over the government’s inaction. They hope he will get justice before his Vaikunta Samaradhane on March 27, which thousands are expected to attend.