Hubballi, Sept 7: Sumitra Koluru is a teacher whose dedication has made her cover 19km, including 10km by foot, to reach the Government Higher Primary School named Dharwad Taluk in Dhopenahatti village since 11 years. As she takes the risk of walking alone in the midst of the jungle, she exposes herself to the dangerous attack by wild animals as the location of the school is in a thick forest, but her determination to shape the lives of children in this small village overpowers her fear.
She joined the teaching profession in the year 2005 and has been teaching in this village since then. Sumitra belonging to Alnavar, arrives at Dori by bus. As there in a no transport available, she walks the rest of the distance to reach the particular village. The population of the village is said to be a bit more than 400. She informed the media that out of the whole of 5km stretch from Dori to Dhopenahatti, only 2km is in good condition and the rest of the road is narrow and slippery too.
The condition is worse during the monsoon as she has to plod through water and slush. Whenever her husband is free, he drops her till a distance of 2km after crossing Dori. A few days ago, Sumitra spotted a leopard in the forest.
