Russian Woman Rescued from Gokarna Cave Misses Forest Life
NEW DELHI: A 40-year-old Russian woman, Nina Kutina, and her two daughters, Preya (6) and Ama (4), were recently rescued from a cave in the Ramatirtha hills near Gokarna, Karnataka, after living in isolation for nearly two weeks. Speaking to PTI, Kutina described her time in the forest as a harmonious existence, far different from the negative portrayals in media reports. She emphasized that their lifestyle was peaceful, centered around nature, and self-sufficient.
Kutina explained that their daily routine involved waking with the sunrise, swimming in rivers, and cooking over a fire or gas cylinder, depending on the season. They sourced groceries from a nearby village and spent their days painting, singing, reading, and living simply. “We were happy and healthy,” she told PTI, refuting claims that their circumstances were dire.
The family was discovered on July 11 during a routine patrol by Gokarna police, led by Inspector Sridhar SR, who were ensuring tourist safety in the landslide-prone Ramatirtha hills of Uttara Kannada district. Kutina, who entered India on a business visa, had traveled from Goa to Gokarna, a coastal town known for its spiritual significance. She explained to authorities that she sought solitude for meditation and had been drawn to the area’s natural environment.
Kutina, a mother of four who has traveled to approximately 20 countries over the past 15 years, shared that her decision to live in the cave stemmed from personal losses, including the death of her son nine months ago. “We were constantly dealing with grief, paperwork, and other problems,” she told PTI. She expressed a deep connection to India, citing its environment and people as reasons for her return despite having visited other countries in recent years.
Since the rescue, Kutina and her daughters have been relocated to a women’s shelter in Karwar, under the care of the Department of Women and Child Welfare. However, Kutina expressed dissatisfaction with the conditions there, describing the shelter as dirty, lacking privacy, and providing only plain rice for meals. She also claimed that many of their belongings, including her son’s ashes, were taken during the transition. “We are now kept in an uncomfortable place,” she told PTI, asserting that their forest life was cleaner and more fulfilling.
Kutina, a trained teacher in art and Russian literature, emphasized that she educates her daughters herself and plans to formally homeschool them. “They are very smart, healthy, and talented. Everyone who meets them says so,” she said. She also denied media portrayals of their forest life as negative, insisting that videos and photos would show how content they were.
ALSO READ : Karnataka Police Rescue Russian Woman With Expired Visa Living In Remote Cave With Two Kids
The Gokarna police found an idol of Lord Rama in the cave, which Kutina said she worshipped daily. Authorities noted the area’s dangers, including steep terrain and the presence of snakes, which prompted their decision to relocate the family. The Russian Embassy is now assisting Kutina and her daughters, and the Foreigners Regional Registration Office in Bengaluru has been contacted to address her expired visa, which lapsed in 2017.