CHIKKODI: This octagenarian can put any youngster to shame. At 80, Krishnabai Badiger, a resident of Umrani village in Chikkodi taluk of Belagavi district works tirelessly every day.
Not that she has no one to support her. She is the mother of three, and is mercurial even at this age. At home, she has her children, daughters-in-law and grandchildren, but she is fiercely independent. “As long as I have strength, I will earn my living”, she says. Krishnabai has two daughters and a son.
Krishnabai, who is helping out her son in running Hotel Poornima, can be seen doing everything from serving customers to doing the dishes. Her customers are astounded by her strength.
As long as I have strength, I will work. when I can no longer do any work, I will pray to God to take me to his lotus feet.
—Krishnabai Badiger, Octagenarian hotelier
Locals say she is a source of inspiration to many, continuing to do all the work by herself even at her ripe old age.
“She doesn’t want to be a burden on anyone. She is an example for the new generation. People these days have become lazy and want everything for free. Some even become a burden on their parents”, says Chandrakanth, a resident of Hukkeri.