A Gandhian of this age, Bhaskar Sharma of Hebbal is like a messiah for the poor and downtrodden helping them get their work done at Public Offices

By S.T. Ravikumar

Clad in white jubba and dhoti and barefooted, this man is a regular at public offices in the city. He has been truly practising the good old adage Jana Seveye Janardhana Seve (People’s service is God’s service). To put it in a nutshell, a Gandhian of this age, whose sole motive is to rush to the rescue of the needy.

Considering his age and appearance of a grey-haired, grey-bearded, medium built and calm demeanour, one would be definitely left awestruck, to see a personality like him nowadays, practising an austere lifestyle, as the society is replete with people who yearn for wealth and power, backed by lavish lifestyle, filled with selfish and hatred towards others.

This social crusader-like personality is 65-year-old Bhaskar Sharma of 2nd Cross, 10th Main, Mahadeshwara Layout in Hebbal, Mysuru. Son of Ayurveda doctor late K. Krishnappa, Bhaskar Sharma was into agriculture on his five acres of agricultural land at a village in H.D. Kote Taluk, till he sold it three years back.

Bhaskar Sharma lives with his family which includes his wife Jayashri, son K.B. Anantha Bhushan and daughter K.B. Rohini. Though educated up to PUC, his vast knowledge of ‘the art of life’ is beyond the measure of any degree.

What arouses one’s interest is his appearance which is rather unusual. It has been 30 years since he stopped wearing footwear. He wears only a white jubba and dhoti, and prefers to walk only against taking any other motorised transport like a two-wheeler or four-wheeler. At times he travels by KSRTC bus.

Much interesting is his food habits as his daily diet is less than the frugal meals by size. To describe, a glass of milk and two biscuits both for breakfast and dinner is enough to satiate his hunger pangs. Barring this, he hasn’t tasted any other types of food, yet he remains healthy, setting a fine example of a ‘youthful’ life at his age, as his peers prefer to lounge on an easy chair, reminiscing the moments of life.

For the record, Bhaskar Sharma’s day begins at 6.30 am, followed by morning routine that includes puja and breakfast.  He later sets on his daily routine, with a bag in hand, visiting Mini Vidhana Soudha (Taluk Office) at Nazarbad, Zilla Panchayat Office on K.R. Boulevard, Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Office of Deputy Director of Land Records (DDLR) among several others. Likewise, he busies himself helping the needy find solutions to their grievances, especially SC and ST beneficiaries, till dusk.

Bhaskar Sharma is like a messiah for those in need of pension, khata, title deed, birth and death certificates, besides clearing encroachments of lakes and other water bodies and development of schools. All these and many more society-oriented activities make him an elixir for life for the poor, unlettered, farmers, oppressed classes and dalits.

As he became popular for his selfless social services, people elected him as a member of Maddur Gram Panchayat in Jayapura Hobli, Mysuru Taluk during the previous elections.  He was elected easily without spending a single pie from his pocket.

Even as a Gram Panchayat member, he didn’t restrict himself to his Constituency, but walked the extra mile to help even those in the surrounding villages. Even after completing his tenure, he continues to respond to the cries of the people, which holds a mirror to his concern for the common people.

Most of the grievance-holders flock to Bhaskar Sharma with strenuous demands and for the latter, it doesn’t matter as he has developed a trait of raising the issues without any fear, before any top officer and convinces them with his argument, thus ensuring that justice is done.

Finally, the needy who feel relieved after getting their work done, give Bhaskar Sharma whatever little money they have, with which Sharma meets his daily expenses.

While those having the wherewithal to get their work done, don’t go to Sharma. He says: “I own nothing nor I want anything. If the depressed lot get some solace from my side, I consider it as my asset. I am toothless and have the condition of ‘shaking hands’. People’s confidence and faith in me is more than enough.”

Bhaskar Sharma, who has deep regrets over the vanishing Indian culture and values, says, “I have dreams to restore Indian culture and values. Hence I am driven by spirituality. I will remain firm and determined without making any changes in my stand and disciplined and austere lifestyle.”

May his tribe increase.