Mangaluru bus operator raises funds for teacher's cancer treatment

A private bus operator in Mangaluru has launched a special initiative to help pay for a local teacher's cancer treatment. The bus owner, Abdul Azeez, decided to donate an entire day's earnings from his only bus service, Sangam, to support Prashanth Rai, a 41-year-old Hindi teacher at a nearby school. The fundraising effort, called "Karunya Yatra," started at 7:30 a.m. from the Pallam bus stand. The bus traveled its regular route, stopping at various locations including Neerchal, Madhur, and Badiyadka. Instead of selling tickets, passengers were asked to contribute their fare or more into a donation bucket on the bus. Azeez was inspired to help by his father and remembered a similar campaign held years ago for a different community member. He mentioned that Prashanth Rai is well-liked in the area, and many people are supporting the fundraising effort. Azeez spent the day riding on the bus to raise awareness. As of Sunday, locals had already gathered around Rs 42 lakh for Rai's treatment. The campaign gained extra support from social worker Fayaz Madoor and his team, who are working to raise Rs 75 lakh. So far, they have collected about Rs 70 lakh. Rai is currently fighting blood cancer and needs an expensive type of therapy called CAR T-cell treatment. Fayaz also plans to accompany Rai to Delhi to look into further treatment options.