Udupi : Writer Muralidhar Upadhya Hiriyadka said that it was sad that the land donated by philanthropist Haji Abdulla Saheb (1882-1935) for a school and a hospital was now being handed over to private parties by the government.

He was speaking at the inaugural function of the Haji Abdulla Memorial programme and Haji Abdulla Trust here recently.

Mr. Hiriyadka said Haji Abdulla was born into a rich family. He was responsible for people in Udupi getting a taste of coffee. He used to help poor patients coming to his house by giving them money and would often donate rice and vegetables to the poor at their marriage ceremonies.

He donated his own land in the heart of Udupi city for the establishment of Corporation Bank and construction of a government hospital and a government school. Now, the government was giving the land to the private sector, which was regrettable and wrong.

Haji Abdulla maintained good relations with the Ashta Mutts or eight mutts of Udupi. He used to provide camphor for the ‘Deepotsava’ of the Sri Krishna Mutt/Temple. He founded the Corporation Bank to inculcate the habit of saving among people. He also built a school for children from weaker sections of the society at Bannanje here. When Gandhiji visited the undivided Dakshina Kannada, he was in forefront to welcome him, Mr. Hiriyadka added.

P.V. Bhandary, trustee, said that the Haji Abdulla Trust had been formed so that the name of the philanthropist was always remembered. The Trust was planning to organise a programme focusing on health, education and communal harmony every month.

It was essential for people, especially the youth, to be aware of social and economic developments. As per available documents, Haji Abdulla had donated large tracts of land running into hundreds of acres, he said.

Padmanabh Nayak, Siraj Ahmed, Khurshid Ahmed, Balakrishna Shetty, Akbar Ali, were present.