by Anisa Fathima, Daijiworld.com, Mangalore
February 24, 2007
The Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) seems to be blessed with a sense of bad timing. The administration was in troubled waters most part of the week, proving its lack of foresight yet again.
The city had to go thirsty and dry just because the MCC did not think of keeping a spare pump in reserve in case of emergency; and though tankers were pressed in to action immediately, it hardly made up for the innumerable problems the citizens had to suffer.
The other major news that grabbed headlines was a fire that destroyed 20 acres of land and a charred a lorry carrying hay, while the news of Konkani being included as optional language in schools cheered the Konkani community and vindicated the efforts of all who had been working for the cause.
The sad demise of veteran photographer and popular personality Himatlal Vasant was a huge loss to the world of photography.
Mangalore: Water Supply to be Restored by Saturday Evening
Mangalore: Fire Tragedy near Ganjimath - 20 Acres of Land, Lorry Charred
Mangalore: Continuous Effort takes Konkani to Schools : Eric Ozario
Mangalore: Senior Photographer Himatlal R Vasant (68) Passes away
Last week, the leopard that gallivanted into the city met a sad death at Pilikula Nisargadhama. This week, it was the turn of a baby elephant to meet a similar end. The animal, just 15 days old and wounded, was found abandoned by its mother at Charmadi Ghat and was brought to Pilikula for treatment.
This is indeed a sad incident. Though the calf was reported to be recuperating, it could not be saved. In such cases, the forest officials and other authorities must investigate as to the cause of the death, because a calf found in such a state is not a frequent phenomenon. The presence of mind shown by the villagers is laudable – it is heartening to know that people concerned about sick animals still exist. While a couple of months ago the city of Mangalore lost its only horse due to negligence, the care and concern of the villagers is indeed in stark contrast to the urbanites.
Mangalore: Rescued Elephant Calf Dies in Pilikula
The 9-month-old search for trekkers who had gone missing last year May finally came to an end with the skeletons of trekkers being found by another trekker and police in the thick forests of the Western Ghats. The search for the trekkers had even attracted the attention of several authorities but in every effort in this regard had failed so far.
Though the news would have given way to a lot of grief among the family members of the deceased, it is better than have not to found the bodies at all. The incident should serve as a lesson to other adventurous souls who go on trekking without anticipating the dangers ahead. The trekkers went on their adventure last May, a time when rains poured down heavily. Not only was it wrong timing, but also immature to leave their car and provisions behind. It is speculated that they might have lost their way in the heavy rains and may have perished out of hunger, and that may well have been, given the dense woods and new environment. An attack by an animal also cannot be ruled out. It is quite stupefying that the ATM cards and driving licences of the deceased could still be recognised, given the long and heavy monsoons we had last year.
Puttur: Skeletons of 3 Missing Trekkers Found after 9 Months
Officials with a restless conscience shiver at the name of Lokayukta, and now, even the hostel authorities will do the same. The anti-corruption body launched an operation to check the conditions of the government-run hostels a month ago, without their knowledge. The result, of course, was as every one expected – poor food, absence of hygiene, pathetic maintenance and even worse facilities.
This is a very commendable job by Lokayukta. The poor and unhygienic conditions of the government hostels need to be highlighted in public. Last rainy season saw several students of Kudmul Ranga Rao hostel taken ill owing to malaria. Most of the inmates of such hostels are from poor families, and hence nobody bothers to look after their well-being. Given the poor state of affairs, it certainly doesn’t seem that the hostels are the real beneficiaries of the funds released – surely Lokayukta has its hands full this time with the skeletons from the creaking cupboards tumbling one after the other.
Mangalore: Government-run Hostels Come Under Lokayukta Scanner
The Lokayukta officials were busy elsewhere too, catching hold of corrupt officials red-handed. The officials in the special tahsildar’s office in Kundapur were left sweating nineteen to the dozen as Lokayukta police took them to task for receiving a bribe.
Yet another time, a proactive victim of corruption has shown the way by being instrumental in catching hold of wrong-doers. Not long again, two RTA officials had been caught, thanks to the active involvement of one Sunder Ram. In this case, as is usual with corrupt officials, Shettigar, the man who helped in bringing out the matter, was made to run from pillar to post to get his task done in expectation of a hefty bribe. We definitely need more such citizens who would help Lokayukta to bring greedy officials to task, instead of meekly parting away with hard-earned money to get simple tasks done.
Kundapur: Lokayukta Raid - Surveyor, Supervisor Arrested at Byndoor
While the city suffered from a severe shortage of water thanks to the inefficient MCC, members of several organisations marched the streets protesting against the recent verdict on Cauvery water dispute.
It is quite an irony that while Mangaloreans suffered, their fellow citizens were seen demanding justice for Kannadigas on an issue that did not even concern them. While it is necessary to show solidarity with fellow citizens, it is the timing of the protest that left many stumped. Here were hundreds of sufferers running around with tumblers and buckets, and here were a group of people trying to change the course of the verdict on Cauvery for their countrymen across the state. Sure, the protest was pre-planned and definitely well-intended, but it does provide some amusement to watchers, given its timing!
Mangalore: People Join to Oppose Cauvery Water Verdict
It was a week of accidents. Several mishaps occurred during the week, and three of them involved a couple of victims in each case. While one occurred in the city following reckless driving by youths that killed one and injured another, another occurred in Vittal that killed a couple and yet another mishap in Beltangady left two brothers heaving their last breath when their car rolled over in to a gorge.
Accidents have always been an everyday occurrence and it is sad to see that there has been hardly any remedy in this regard. Lots of people are gripped by death on roads, either due to their own recklessness, or to others. Usually, lorries and buses, in their passion to speed have been the cause of many a tragedy. Despite traffic rules, lives are lost. In one of the above-mentioned cases, the lorry driver has been absconding; therefore, it is up to the authorities to bring the culprit to justice. Drunken driving and speeding with the latest set of wheels is a common problem, especially with the youth, but the worst part is that many a time culprits manage to get away by greasing the hands of the law keepers. Unless we have more stringent laws and efficient administrative machinery together with responsible and considerate drivers, accidents will continue to be a part of our existence.
That was the end of a problem-ridden but also conscience-stirring week. While the water crisis left all and sundry high and dry, the Lokayukta had a gala time pulling the veil off corrupt officials. Accidents left us sad and angry, and so did the poor elephant that met its death. See you next week with some more news and views.
Anisa Fathima
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