by Anisa Fathima
February 11, 2007
It was a bad start to the week – with violence in Puttur during Shanti Puja that sent shivers across the region and the sad demise of Ullal MLA U T Fareed following a prolonged illness. While the violence added to the list of communal rifts that have hit the region in the recent months, the death of U T Fareed was a huge loss to the public, to the administration and to Congress. The good part, however, is that the violence did not lead to major riots, thanks to quick police action.
Tension in Puttur - Police Take Quick Control of Situation
Mangalore: Ullal MLA U T Fareed Passes Away
More bad news followed as the news of the murder of a canteen employee in Dharmasthala rocked headlines. The incident was too mysterious for words, and the police are far from nailing the culprit.
The case gets even more baffling when one takes in to account the murder attempt on an employee of the same canteen a week ago. Just consider the stupefying facts – the person who survived the attack had never seen or known the attacker, nor had he any clue as to why he was stabbed, and the employee who was murdered had joined the canteen less than a week before his death. No less than a Sherlock Holmes mystery, the work looks like the handicraft of a psychopath. The manner of attack points towards the involvement of the same person(s) in both incidents. It will be interesting to see what the police investigation may reveal. A murder at a place which is home to the sacred is not only shocking, but blasphemous.
Beltangady: Hotel Cleaner Stabbed to Death at Dharmasthala
Moving on with some more tragic news, a youth was assaulted in the city when he was trying to put up banners of a religious event. The communal clash, though it did not worsen thanks to the timely intervention by police, does pose several concerns about the rising sense of insecurity and communal disharmony in the region.
These days, communal outfits seem extra eager on targeting those who are even a bit in opposition to their own misplaced sense of religiosity. While many will agree that public display of religious festivals and programmes should be banned, that is no reason to assault a youth who was only doing a job his seniors had assigned to him. The administration has so far failed to taken any concrete steps in this regard, though it admirable that the police have managed to restore peace o several such occasions. The best thing would be to nip the communal outfits right from their roots, as no sane, God-fearing, peace-loving citizen would want any communal groups to ‘protect’ any community.
Mangalore: Youth Assaulted for Putting up Religious Banner
Amidst all these the kids of the district had a gala time with the Pilikula children’s carnival not only entertaining them with a host of games and activities but also making learning a joyful experience.
Such events targeted at children very few and far in between. We have seen time and again that when events for children are organised, the kids not only enjoy them to the hilt, but emerge smarter at the end of it. Such fests also help the children in making more friends thus developing interpersonal relationships among them. The activities give the children a break from their regular schools and studies, while also helping them learn and explore new vistas. The kids’ lab at the carnival introduced the world of experiments to the children, while activities like kite-flying and competitions made sure they enjoyed every moment of the carnival.
Mangalore: Pilikula Children’s Carnival Draws to an End - Pics
Meanwhile, the Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) has all guns firing in its efforts to counter water shortage during the summer. Leaks have been sealed, faulty gates repaired, pipes and filters replaced and pumps overhauled. Nevertheless, water will still be released once in two days, despite the overflowing Netravati river and a repaired Thumbe dam.
This is a commendable job by the MCC. Usually we are tempted to criticise the administration for not taking preventive measures on time, but this time, the MCC has really been proactive. Last week, the Corporation’s negligence had resulted in the citizens suffering from water shortage for nearly 15 days, but it is really heartening to note all the overhauling and repair works being taken up. It is also noteworthy that the MCC has taken steps to create awareness on water conservation among the public. The public should also cooperate and join in the drive, by living up to our responsibility of conserving water and ensuring our fellow citizens do not suffer because of our negligence.
Mangalore: MCC Gears up to Face Summer Water Shortage
The news of a resident of Karkala possessing dangerous explosives sent shockwaves across the region. Though the person had license to own the substance, he was arrested by the police for unauthorised storage of substances like ammonium nitrate and gelatine sticks.
In the recent times we have seen a rise in activities relating to crime and such a discovery leads on to wonder about the safety and responsibility of people who have the license to possess explosive substances. Such materials have their own norms of safety and storage, which if not met, can be highly lethal. When license is issued, it is already understood that the person will take caution too, but if such negligence is practiced, the authorities concerned must take steps to either withdraw the license or take penal action. Violation of license regulations in cases like these should be stringently dealt with. It is a pity that those who demand license do not care to take responsibility of the same.
Karkala: Police Seize Highly-explosive Substances, Accused Arrested
The mid-day meals scheme in government schools that has seen debate over milk and eggs for quite sometime had a new worry to sweat about. As many as eleven students of a school took ill soon after the meals and had to be admitted at a hospital.
The mid-day meals scheme has always been appreciated from all quarters for it not only provides healthy meals to the school children but has also increased the number of students attending schools. Most families suffer from poverty resulting in starvation, and the availability of free meals is enough to make parents send their children to school. Most children from families below poverty line attend schools only to get at least one square meal a day. However, the government should also ensure that the food provided is healthy and cooked and served in healthy surroundings. This is not the first time children have been taking ill due to mid-day meals, therefore, the government should step up its measures to ensure that the incident doesn’t repeat, or else parents might once again hesitate to send their wards to school.
Puttur: Students Take Ill after Mid-day Meal at Nellikatte
The week, then, gave a number of reasons to feel sad about, yet the MCC’s actions to ensure minimum shortage of water gave us something to cheer about. It will be interesting to wait and watch the outcome of the murder at Dharmasthala, which one hopes will be solved soon. See you next week!
Anisa Fathima
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