1908 – 1996

If you delve into the history of Puttur, the name that remains fresh in the minds of the people is Salmara Abbu Haji. As his name suggests, he was born and raised in Salmara, Puttur. Developing a fighting spirit from a young age, he actively participated in India’s freedom struggle.

Before independence, the present Kasaragod district belonged to the then Karnataka. Additionally, all these provinces were under the governance of the “Madras” government. Many families from Nekkare near Badiyadka in the present Kasaragod district migrated and settled in Puttur for business. Among them, Ermunche aka Ramla Beary was prominent. Ramla Beary resided next to the present APMC railway gate in Puttur. His wife was Beepathumma, and they had a large family of five sons and three daughters. Salmara Abbu Haji was born in 1908 as the first son of this couple.

On his way from Madikeri to Karwar in 1934, Mahatma Gandhi rested under a tree near Puttur bus stand (now Gandhikatte). Salara Abbu Haji, who held great respect for Mahatma Gandhi, also joined the freedom struggle. Inspired by Gandhiji’s teachings, Abbu Haji would leave his shoes behind and walk barefoot from home after attending meetings. Eventually, he discarded his high-quality clothes and embraced “khadi” attire. Among his companions were Yeltimar Shenai, Kallare Kudda, Kalladka Madhava Padiyar, Kalladka Uppanna Nayak, and Hakeem Haji of Uppinangadi. Abbu Haji was 25 years old at that time and later became actively involved in the freedom struggle.

Salmara Abbu Haji had companions such as the Uppinangady poet B.M. Idinabba, Mangalore social worker C. Kunnipakki Haji, education enthusiast Yenapoya Moidin Kunhi Haji, Abdul Khader, and Shivaram. Additionally, Aliyar Ibrahim Haji, Mata Yusuf Haji, and Puttur Usman Haji Kurnadka were close friends of Abbu Haji.

Following independence, Salmara Abbu Haji actively engaged in numerous infrastructure projects, including the construction of roads and bridges under the Madras government. His contributions in building roads and bridges are still evident in Puttur and Sullia taluks today.

Records indicate that the bridge on the Puttur-Kaniyur-Subrahmanya road, near the Kanyyur railway station, was completed in just three months in 1961. In 1965, when constructing a bridge at Kallaje near Subrahmanya, he faced a threat on his life due to a personal dispute. Sadly, his brother Ibrahim was killed by an assailant in the attempted attack.

A passionate advocate for education, he established a school and madrasa in the car shed of his house. This institution continues to operate today as the Government Model Senior Primary School in Salmara.

Under his leadership, disagreements within the society and community were easily resolved, as everyone respected his fair and serious words.

Even in his youth, he was deeply religious and spent considerable time in the mosque. He passed away at the age of 88 in 1996, leaving behind his wife Awwamma and five daughters.

Today, his family members continue his legacy of social work through the “Salmarada Abbu Haji Charitable Trust”.