56-year-old Chandrashekar is living in a dense forest area located between the villages Adtale and Nekkare near Aranthodu of Sullia taluk, Dakshina Kannada district. He has ditched his normal life and opted for wilderness as his home.
You have to walk 3-4 kms inside to reach the man's Ambassador car parked in a jungle. The old white ambassador car has a very old but functional radio on its bonnet. However, the car has lost its color and identity after being parked in the forest for several years.
Chandrashekar owned 1.5 acres of farm in Nekral Kemraje village where he grew areca nut and was leading a peaceful life. In 2003, he was unable to pay a loan of Rs 40,000 from a co-operative bank. Lastly, the bank auctioned his farm. After that, he lived in his sister’s house in Adtale in his Ambassador car.
However, after a rift with sister’s family, he decided to live alone. He drove away into the deep jungle and parked his car there. He placed a plastic sheet above to protect the car from rain and sun.
Ever since, Chandrashekar has been living a solitary life from 17 years inside his Ambassador car. He bathes in the river flowing inside the forest. He weaves baskets using dried creepers around him and sells it off at a shop in Adtale village and takes rice, sugar and other groceries in return. His only wish in life is to get back his land. He has safely preserved all documents for the same.
A few years ago A B Ibrahim, the District Collector visited him and promised to givr him a proper house. He even got a house built but Chandrashekar refused saying the house is built in the middle of rubber forest and he didn’t like to live there.
We hope, Chandrashekar gets back his farm soon.
