Mangalore This Week : Oct 29 - Nov 4
Weekly Round-up by Anisa Fathima
Daijiworld.com - Mangalore
Nov 4, 2006
Carter Foundation Award for St Agnes College
The beginning of the week brought us news that raised our heads high with pride. The city's St Agnes College won the coveted Carter Foundation Award, presented at New Delhi by former US president Jimmy Carter. The award was in recognition of the college's work in creating awareness in watershed development and rainwater harvesting as a community development project in rural areas.
It is very rare that colleges from this side of the country win such prestigious awards. St Agnes College has set an example for other colleges to follow. Not many colleges are involved in social causes and this indeed would be a spark that would ignite many more projects by students ultimately resulting in a better, more responsible society. In a country that faces acute shortage of water from time to time, projects related to conservation of water are a boon and will go a long way in creating awareness among the masses on the need to have more projects like these.
MANGALORE: ST AGNES COLLEGE GETS AWARD FROM FORMER US PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER
Women Power in Udupi
Woman power ruled the roost this week when women's self help groups joined hands to get an unauthorized arrack shop closed, in Udyavar, Udupi. Even though it was basically women's agitation, the protestors were led by Udupi MLA Raghupati Bhat.
Alcohol has been the major cause of most family troubles, especially in the rural areas. Not only has it increased poverty, but also boosted cases of wife beating, suicides and murders and murder attempts. The end victims of this vicious habit are the women, who can neither control their husbands nor cope with them. Alcohol, therefore, is their biggest enemy, and it's sad that for the government, the revenue it generates is more important than the health and lives of millions. It was high time that women showed the government a thing or two. It was a splendid example of what they can do only if they come forward and take action.
UDUPI: WOMAN POWER RULES, ARRACK SHOP SHUT DOWN - PICS
Officials in Lokayukta Net
Meanwhile, some of the government officials in the district had a tough time when two were arrested for taking bribes, and three were awarded three years of imprisonment for misappropriating funds.
At last, it was good to see that officials who indulge in abuse of power are punished for their criminal acts. Corruption is one disease of the political setup that has only increased with time, despite laws and law keepers. Until now, Lokayukta had been only digging out corruption cases, without really taking any action. This comes as fresh breath of air and revives the little bit faith that we had left in our judiciary (in case of law-breaking officials, especially). Kudos to Lokayukta and the judiciary. Hopefully, this will make other officials realize that they are not above the law.
MANGALORE: TWO GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS HELD ON BRIBERY CHARGE
BELTANGADY: THREE AGRICULTURAL OFFICERS AWARDED 3-YEARS IMPRISONMENT
Bengalooru - Mangalooru
It was a week that saw the implementation of a change that had everyone debating. On the occasion of Rajyotsava on Wednesday November 1, the names of Bangalore, Mangalore, Belgaum, among others were changed back to their ancient names.
The move was on the cards for a year now, but only when it was formally announced that people woke up to the change and opposed it wholeheartedly. The politicians are again on a spree to revive our history by changing the names, but will it help anybody at all? Where the will the money to change the names on documents, places, institutions, transport terminals and other places come from? It is very well to say that we have to move away from British influence, but at whose cost? If the government wants to revive history, let it concentrate on restoring the various historical structures first, at least that way, the money would be spent in a better manner.
BANGALORE BANGALORED! IT'S BENGALOORU NOW
Mangalore- Bangalore Highway Avatar
While names changed, the roads remained in the same pitiable state. As a new protest against the apathy of the government, the Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners' and Agents' Association decided to suspend movement of trucks on the Bangalore-Mangalore highway from Sakleshhpur to the city.
Various protests have been going on for sometime now but the administration is still unmoved. The highways, especially, are in a shameful condition; these in fact should have been given first priority as journeying on these roads has proved to be a horrible ordeal. Slow movement of traffic and accidents owing to potholed roads, more so after the heavy monsoons, have all made a trip on the highways an experience worth avoiding. Wonder what kind of image we are portraying to tourists. Such roads not only make traveling difficult, but also pose serious health concerns like acute back pain. A combined effort is needed if the administration has to be woken up.
PLYING OF TRUCKS ON BANGALORE, MANGALORE HIGHWAY TO BE SUSPENDED
Girl Kidnap Case in Moodubidri
In another part of the district, a case of a girl in Moodbidri being kidnapped by five people in a car sent shockwaves around the town, but later, on police investigation it was found that it was not a case of kidnapping. The girl had tried to escape from the house where she had been employed as a housemaid. The employer's men then forced her in to a car to take her back.
That the girl tried to run away from her employer's house raises many a question .It is a wonder that the police let the employer get away so easily without much investigation. Was the girl running away because she was being harassed? It may seem so considering that the employer sent five people to bring her back. Or was she running away with stolen goods which the employer wanted to get back? Reports said the girl was not happy and hence she was going away, which is very much possible. On the backdrop of the child labour ban, if the girl was below 14 years, the police should have filed a case against the employer. Even otherwise, such problems need attention for nobody knows how a housemaid is treated unless such incidents take place.
MANGALORE: 'KIDNAPPED' GIRL REACHES HOME SAFELY
'Lage Raho Munnabhai' for Elderly...
Thursday November 2 was a special day to 200 senior citizens belonging to various old age homes of the city. Adlabs Cineplex here screened the popular movie 'Lage Raho Munnabhai' for the elderly, a special treat that they enjoyed thoroughly and wouldn’t forget very soon.
The elderly are perhaps the most neglected section of the society. They toil all their lives for the sake of their children, but once they are old, those very children send them to the old age homes. Some of the elderly themselves opt for it as there would be no one to look after them. Very few corporates or public entertainment providers have come forward to do something for them, and this generous step by Adlabs is but commendable. Just goes to show that even a small contribution from us can make a big difference to somebody else. The choice of the movie was apt, given that it too speaks of the neglect that our elderly are suffering from.
MANGALORE: LAGE RAHO MUNNABHAI - ADLABS CINEPLEX'S SPECIAL TREAT TO THE ELDERLY
The coastal region was a hub of activity this week, with various happenings that heartened many. Until next week, it's good-bye!
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