KB Karibasamma, a retired school teacher and euthanasia activist from Davanagere, Karnataka, has donated her entire life savings of ₹10 lakh to the Bharat Ke Veer corpus fund, a central government initiative that channels citizen contributions to the welfare of fallen soldiers and ex-servicemen. The donation, made despite Karibasamma battling terminal cancer and currently residing in an old-age home, has drawn widespread praise from local officials and residents alike.

Where the money came from

The ₹10 lakh was assembled from two sources. Karibasamma sold her only house, raising ₹6 lakh, and set aside a further ₹4 lakh from her post-retirement teacher's pension. She handed over the consolidated cheque to Deputy Commissioner G.M. Gangadhara Swamy of Davanagere, who confirmed the funds are being forwarded to the Government of India through the Bharat Ke Veer corpus.

What Karibasamma said

Speaking to reporters, Karibasamma said, 'I wanted to give my life savings directly to Modi ji, but it seems I do not have that good fortune in my destiny. Because of this, my health is deteriorating day by day. Due to my health, I had also written a letter to PM Modi. I have given this to our city's Deputy Commissioner Gangadhara Swamy.' Her words reflect a long-held wish to contribute directly to national welfare, even as her own medical condition worsens.

Officials respond

Deputy Commissioner G.M. Gangadhara Swamy acknowledged visiting Karibasamma at her old-age home before the donation was formalised. 'Karibasamma has championed the cause of euthanasia for years now; she has been writing letters to the government,' he said. 'She said that she will give Rs 10 lakh to the Sainik Welfare fund. We are sending it to the Government of India.'

Former Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) and former Chief Whip of the Karnataka Legislative Council, Dr Shivayogi Swami, who is also a former student of Karibasamma, called the act deeply inspiring. 'Today, she has done a very noble and inspiring deed,' he said, adding that her entire life's savings amounted to this single gesture. He urged citizens of Davanagere to draw inspiration from her example.

The euthanasia campaign

Karibasamma is widely recognised in Davanagere for her long-running 'let die with dignity' campaign, which advocates for legalised euthanasia for patients in permanently vegetative states or with irreversible terminal conditions. She has written multiple letters to the government pressing for legislative action on the issue. Her decision to channel her savings toward soldiers' welfare rather than her own medical expenses has amplified her standing in the community, earning praise from the District Commissioner as well.

What the Bharat Ke Veer fund does

The Bharat Ke Veer corpus fund is a Government of India initiative that allows citizens to contribute directly to the welfare of armed forces personnel killed in the line of duty and to support ex-servicemen. Contributions are pooled and disbursed to verified beneficiaries. Karibasamma's donation represents one of the more prominent individual contributions to the fund from Karnataka in recent months.

With her savings now committed and her health declining, Karibasamma's act stands as an uncommon instance of personal sacrifice in service of a cause beyond one's own circumstances — and is likely to keep her euthanasia campaign in public conversation as well.