by Anisa Fathima
January 13, 2007
Another week packed with happenings. From the chief minister’s orders to halt the works of Nagarjuna Power Project for a week which came as a victory to hundreds who were against the project, to the plight of the Haj pilgrims who were not given their money’s worth, the week was full of headlines that rocked the city. Alva’s Virasat was a special event that had everyone swinging to classical music like never before while the ever-elusive criminal Mulki Rafiq’s made a sensational escapade leaving the police all sweating.
CM Kumaraswamy Halts Nagarjuna Work for a Week
Mangalore: Haj Pilgrims Duped by Agency Return Home Sad
Moodbidri: Alva’s Virasat 07 Comes to an End
Mangalore: Mulki Rafiq Still at Large - Police on Massive Hunt
The newsmaker of the week was a ghastly accident which killed five of a family who were traveling in a jeep from Uppinangady which collided with a lorry carrying iron-ore.
Time and again we have seen accidents taking place owing to bad roads but this time it might be over-speeding too that might have been the cause. It is not the first time that heavily loaded lorries have been the perpetrators of accidents. Despite bad roads, drivers do not take heed and drive as if the entire belonged to them. Most of the time, lorry and bus drivers are in a hurry to reach the destination because of the time limit given to them by their companies. This results in over-speeding, and often rash driving. A separate route or timing should be aside only for such lorries and buses so that smaller vehicles are not at risk. It is quite an irony that the accident happened just when we were beginning to observe the road safety week!
Puttur: Perne Accident - Injured Dies in Hospital
There was more to mourn about when, on the same day as the accident, a woman from Kannur, Kerala, was found murdered in a lodge. The man who was with her, and who has been suspected to be the culprit, fled the place.
There is a need for a thorough investigation in to this case, as it is not the first time that people from another place have been either looted or killed. Sometime back tourists to Ullal had also been looted of their jewellery and cash. When tourists come to the city, it is responsibility to look after their welfare, though they themselves should also be equally aware of safety. In this case, although the motive is not yet known, it seems that the murder was planned. It may also have happened in a fit of rage. Whatever may be the case, the police should not leave any stone unturned, at least for the sake of the parents who have lost their daughter.
Mangalore: Woman Found Dead in Lodge in Ullal
Several protests and accidents later, the administration has at last decided to do something about the roads. Demolition works for widening the Malpe-Manipal road began this week, much to the relief of frequent commuters and sorrow of those who gave up their lands for the purpose.
In the recent times the bad roads of the coastal regions have come under much criticism not just from the citizens but also from those who have visited us. Noted artiste Parveen Sultana condemned it, and citizens time and again staged protests. However, for those who lost their lands, the compensation made would not suffice. For many, their lands may be ancestral properties, and for others a symbol of their toil and hard work. Nevertheless, such sacrifices are needed if the country has to develop. For all we say, the roads too are for the sake of people, not just the administration. The handling of funds in the course of the work and the time taken will be something all will be keeping an eye on.
Udupi: Demolition Works for Widening Kalsanka Road Begin - Images
Our temples are known for their rich heritage as well as for their ancient idols. But sadly two of the twelfth century idols along with other ornaments were stolen from Guru Basadi in Moodbidri. The theft took place between noon and night.
It is amazing that though temples and other places of worship have so many national treasures like idols and ancient scripts inside them, adequate security has not been provided except to a handful of temples. Security is usually provided so that people are safe, but it should also be provided for places that hold articles of great value. Twelfth century idols are not a small loss, they are idols that can be remade in appearance but never in their value. While it is a shame that even places of worship are not let alone by thieves, it is also food for thought as to why adequate measures are not taken to protect our legacy. Shouldn’t such treasures be preserved in more protected areas like, say, museums?
Moodbidri: Idols Stolen from Guru Basadi
The big news that shocked many was the arrest of a terrorist who was suspected to be the leader of Imran Bilal, another terrorist who was arrested in Bangalore recently.
Along with infrastructure development, the city seems to be growing in terms of criminal activities too. So far we have had thefts, murders, Naxal attacks and the like, but the presence of terrorist activities is something new. With growing economy coupled with the undercurrent of communal feelings, the city faces a threat to its safety. It will be no wonder if we were to discover Mangalore in the list of terror attacks, what with our budding mall culture and the potential as a cosmopolitan. The terrorist is suspected to have been in the region from five years, then what took so long for police to take action? The threat of terror attacks is very real, and it would be foolish to disregard the incident.
Mangalore: Top Terrorist Leader Arrested in City?
If the arrest of a terrorist scared us, the melodious jugalbandi from maestros Ustad Zakir Hussain and Pundit Shiv Kumar Sharma in the city enchanted all those who witnessed it. As expected, the TMA Convention Centre was packed to capacity and many enthusiasts had to be sent back.
Nowadays, the district is receiving visits from many a personality. While last year it was Sachin Tendulkar and KK, the beginning of this year already has had the two wizards of classical music. Rarely has the city been host to such magnificent display of music. However, the arrangement could have been better – in fact it blotted the evening as the show started an hour late and to top that, there was confusion regarding seat allotment. The result was that many who had the pass had to go back disappointed, while others occupied their seats. Hopefully, the confusion would be a lesson to all future programmes involving mega personalities.
Mangalore: Enchanting Jugalbandi Enthrals Music Lovers of City
Meanwhile, four students of St Philomena College in Puttur went missing. This was the third time that such an incident had occurred. The student who went missing two months ago has still not been traced.
The incident raises a lot of questions – one, why do students of the same college go missing? Why hasn’t the management done anything to ensure it does not repeat? And why haven’t the police been able to trace the missing student? Though all the four students were traced to Goa, the repeated occurrence of the incident does raise a few eyebrows. The college management should take strict measures and find the cause for such disappearances, and if need be, the administration should also step in. Such incidents should never be ignored for we never know what the consequences would be.
Puttur: Four Missing Students Traced in Goa
The most heartening news of the week was the efforts of different organisations to spread the message of peace. Beginning with the unique mass marriage involving couples from different religions, we had a peace rally by ICYM and then the announcement of a meet for fostering communal harmony to be held on January 14.
The region has been seeing several incidents bearing the colour of communalism, the most prominent being the violence that hit the district last October. In a scenario filled with hatred and communal feelings, it is important that such programmes are held from time to time to remind the people of the need to forget communal differences. More importantly, the message should be communicated to the people of lesser means and lesser education, for they are the one who are the ultimate victims of this hatred. We know very well the importance of unity in a region that is about to boom industrially in the near future, and more so, of ensuring a better future for the generations to come.
Bantwal: Unique Mass Marriage Held to Boost Communal Harmony
ICYM Bike Rally for Communal Harmony (Part 4)
Mangalore: Public Meeting for Promoting Peace to be Held on Jan 14
The week, then, was quite a thriller with a host of interesting happenings. The coming week too should be as exciting, with the police on a hunt for Mulki Rafiq and roads of city on the brink of getting repaired. See you next week!
Anisa Fathima
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