Mangalore This Week - June 10 to June 16
by Shalmi Monteiro
June 17, 2007
After a week's celebration of U T Khader's victory, the beginning of another week was marked by an incident of a daring act of crime. A gang of robbers executed a filmi-style robbery in a jewellery shop at Bantwal. Around 9-30 pm, just before the shop of Suresh V Baliga was being closed, a group of six men entered the shop, posing as customers. They suddenly flashed their pistols and scared the staff. Then they started looting all the jewellery in the front showcases.
In another incident, passengers of two speeding buses had a close shave when they collided with each other before rolling off the road.
Another providential escape was of Bishop Aloysius Paul D'Souza who was on his way to St Anthony's Shrine at Kerekatte near Basrur, when his car met with an accident at Udyavar Bridge, near Udupi.
On the happier side, on June 10, the ‘Manglur kutam in Rome’ came together for the last time before the summer vacation.
To add to the list of mishaps, ammonia leaked out in a plant at MCF at Panambur, while a person was severely injured when the boundary wall of an abandoned house at Kadri Mundan came down over him as he was passing by.
Mangalore: Daring Armed Robbery in Bantwal Jewellery Shop
Mangalore: Buses Collide Before Going off Road at Nagori - Pics
Udupi: Bishop's Car Meets with Accident at Udyavar - Everyone Safe
Mangaloreans Meet in Rome - Fr Alwyn Serrao Gets Doctorate
Mangalore: Disaster Management Mock Drill Held at MCF, NMPT
Mangalore: Two Severely Injured in House Collapse at Kadri Mundan
Kannada, the Never-forgotten Language
Zilla panchayat president Sushma Janardhan has instucted everyone to use Kannada as the the medium of instruction to all the departments that come under the purview of the district administration in their day-to-day work.
Kannada, in spite of being teh official regional language, is often off the scene these days. Most of the people communicate in other languages. English is being made use of for communication. In coastal districts, communication either takes place either in Tulu or in English. Not many use Kannada in communicating. Even in their day-to-day work, be it a government agency or a private enterprise, the employees use English for communication as well write the reports in English. But from now onwards, Janardhan has strictly sought the use of Kannada in all the deparments that come under the purview of the district administration. They have also been told to send monthly reports in Kannada. This is the way to ensure that Kannada would not be forgotten completely.
Mangalore: ‘Departments should Use Kannada for Official Purposes’
Cows in the news
A vehicle that was transporting cattle illegally was intercepted at Moodbidri.
Every now and then we hear the news of cows getting illegally slaughtered. Though the government has banned the slaughter of cows, excepting certain conditions of category, cows are still being killed. But, pray, why ban only the slaughtering of cows ? Yes, it is the question of their life. But even the chicken, pigs, sheep, goats etc are being killed. Why hasn't then a ban been imposed on slaughtering of these animals as well? Do they not have lives? Even plants have life; we are not supposed to eat them too.
Moreover, several people become victims of others. The gangsters, the murderers who kill several innocent people's lives go scotfree. No one even bothers to arrest them and protect the lives of innocent people.
If an alternative is provided, perhaps the slaughtering of cows will stop by itself.
Mangalore: Three Arrested for Illegal Transportation of Cattle
Banks to Benefit the Farmers
Karnataka Bank aims to grant Rs 500 crore as loan for the benefit of farmers during the current financial year.
In order to solve the problems of the farmers, the banks as well as the government are doing their best. CM Kumaraswamy also cancelled his foreign tour just to help the farmers in their agricultural activities. The farmers will also be given proper training on the nature and quality of the seeds.
We often hear about the farmers committing suicide due to financial problem or on account of losses they face in agriculture. But this year the farmers need not worry because the government appears to be in their favour. It does not mean that the farmers are totally out of the burden, but it will reduce some of their stress, though not all the problems. Sometimes. irregular rainfall also might cause worries for the farmers.
Mangalore: Karnataka Bank Targets Rs 500 Crore Farmer Loan
Keep the City Clean and Green
The forest department has charted a plan to encourage the growing of trees in an effort to maintain the ecological balance.
Our surroundings should be kept clean. Wherever we go we find billboards saying "Keep your city clean and green". But, to be honest, is enough being done? More and more trees should be grown in order to protect the environment in which we live. Growing more trees will also help in saving the lives of the people because greenery is regarded as lung space.
They breathe in carbon dioxide and release oxygen, which makes the air clean and helps the humans to breathe. Morevover the city will also look beautiful when it is adorned with greenery.
But instad we see deforestation all over. While large, existing trees are felled down for development, no efforts are made to plant new ones. Recently in Udupi, a large number of trees which had been along the road side were removed to make way for the broadening of the roads. Now we rarely find trees in Udupi city beside the roads. This is going to seriously affect the ecological balance. Hence any plan to grow more trees is welcome.
Udupi: Plan to Grow Trees to Maintain Ecology
Mangalore - from Coastal look to City look
Seldom do we come across such a thing happening. But Saturday June 16 was marked by the beginning of five different developmental projects in the city, all inaugurated by mayor Vijaya Arun.
Five different development projects being inauguarated was proof to development, all right. Good to see another Bangalore in the district. Many multi-nataional companies, malls etc are coming up in the city. Roads are also being upgraded. When we travel between Mangalore and Udupi, we can see that the four lane roads are under costruction.
On the other hand, does anyone spare a thought for the poor people who cannot manage a single square meal a day? It is not that the develoment should not take place. Development is a must. At the same time the government should also help the poor and the needy people. The government should provide them with basic necessities of life - food, clothing and shelter. Development of cities will be in justified only if the living conditions of poor villagers, or those backward section of the society also improve.
Mangalore: 2 Inaugurations, 3 Stone-laying Ceremonies, in 3 Hrs !
Public servants or robbers?
Kotekar gram panchayat secretary Rajanna has been suspended for fraud in panchayat plan funds. Rajanna allegedly used to withdraw money belonging to the panchayat and utilize it for his personal use.
Most of the people are aware about of such instances. In spite of adverse publicity and prospects of punishment, we find public servants still misusing funds sanctioned for the purpose of developing the village, town or city.
Most of the times, elected representatives too misuse the funds. If they do not set an example, what do we expect of government employees? In most cases, the entire money meant for projects does not get into the work, but, instead, flows into the private individuals' pockets. It is normally believe that just one-fourth portion goes into development and other three-fourth is embezzled. We rarely find politicians who genuinely care for the people. There are a few good individuals, but they are cornered in the system, and do not get re-elected or they just get eliminated.
Mangalore: G P Secretary Suspended for Misuse of Funds
That’s the news this week, with some disappointing and few peaceful ones.
See you next week with more peaceful and calmer ones. Until then, bye.
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