SAIDAPUR : As a young student, Hasansab Khudavand wanted to join the army and he fought all odds for it. He worked in a transport company and an agricultural brokerage firm to continue his education.
Khudavand (25) joined the 21 Madras Infantry four years ago and was on border duty in Kashmir’s Leh sector.
“He was very brave and a good sportsman,” recalled his primary school teacher Vijaya G Hartimath. Recalling her emotional attachment with the student, Vijaya said: “He was good in studies as well as all kinds of sports. After a gap of years, I met him in last January when he had come to the school to invite me for his sister’s marriage.”
“Hasansab studied in the Government Primary School at Saidapur upto fourth standard. Owing to his family’s poor economic background, he went to Dambal village in Gadag district to stay with his grandfather and continued studies there. He did his pre-university course in Gadag and joined the army when he was pursuing his BCom in Reddy College in Gadag,” said one of his relatives.
His father Imamsab said: “Hasan always wanted to join the army and he was firm on his decision. Despite financial problems, he continued his studies. To meet the expenditure during his college days, we had to pledge our land. In the last few years, Hasan was clearing the loans and also helped us to conduct the marriage of his sister. He gifted a bike to his younger brother and used to talk to family members everyday on phone. He told us that he would come home for Muharrum and we could find a girl for him.”
His mother was inconsolable. One of the neighbours said Khudavand used tell them that he would marry once his house renovation work is completed. When the villagers demanded a circle after the brave solider, Deputy Commissioner S B Bommanalli responded positively to it, it is said.