Puttur: A 69-year-old veteran yoga practitioner died after accidentally falling into a pond and drowning at Nekkila in Bannur here on Thursday.
The deceased has been identified as Satyanarayana Prasad, popularly known as Prasad Panaje, originally from Panaje, Puttur and currently residing at Nekkila.
Went to plantation to collect arecanuts
According to the information available, Prasad had gone to his plantation on Thursday morning to collect arecanuts. However, he did not return home for a long time, raising concern among his family members.
A search was subsequently launched to locate him. During the search, his body was found in a pond located in the plantation.
It is suspected that Prasad may have accidentally slipped and fallen into the pond while he was at the plantation. The exact circumstances surrounding the incident will be ascertained during the police investigation.
Case registered at Puttur Town Police Station
Prasad is survived by his wife and two sons. Following a complaint filed by his wife, Srimathi Prasad, the Puttur Town Police Station has registered a case in connection with the death.
The incident has left family members and those who knew Prasad shocked.
Taught yoga to thousands
Prasad was well known in Puttur for his contribution to yoga education and practice. He had completed a postgraduate degree in yoga education in Bengaluru.
After completing his studies, he established a yoga centre in Puttur and took up teaching yoga. Over the years, he is said to have trained thousands of people in yoga.
His contribution to promoting yoga in the region earned him recognition among yoga practitioners and students. His death is therefore being mourned by those who had learnt yoga under his guidance.
The incident also highlights the risks associated with working around ponds and other water bodies in plantation areas, particularly when they are located away from residential spaces.