by Anisa Fathima, Daijiworld.com, Mangalore
April 29, 2007
If there ever was a contest for the most eventful week, this would come close to winning.
It was a beautiful start to the week when two little people came together in matrimony. It was a match that warmed the hearts of many. The event was followed by another where rich tributes were paid to Louis Mascarenhas, one of the pioneer Konkani poets of the twentieth century.
When all seemed well, a ghastly accident took place killing seven people. The accident of course involved a careless tanker driver (who fled the place) and a thoughtless auto driver who was also met his end. Attention was quickly shifted to the visit of former cricketer Syed Kirmani who had some very crucial points to make about the Indian team and cricket in general.
Meanwhile, the students of SSLC faced anxious moments as their result was announced, leaving many jubilant and some downcast; but it was good news for DK as the district moved to 5th position.
While the Customs Commissionerate denied charges of bribery at Bajpe airport at a press conference, celebrity rush to the holy land continued with the ‘daughter of the soil’ Shilpa Shetty herself visiting the temples across the region along with her parents and sister Shamita Shetty, no doubt in the midst of media glare.
A heroic effort by the Coast Guard saved the lives of 18 fishermen who had gone missing towards the end of the week. Then there was chief minister who continued his ‘goodwill yatra’ with visits to a dargah, a temple and a church apart from an overnight stay in a poor widow’s house. Wonder if the gesture helped anyone at all, other than Kumaraswamy and his party?
Lastly, the arrest of Nagarjuna Virodhi Samiti president Lakshman Shetty during the week raised furore and protesters picketed the Padubidri police station.
Mangalore: In Height Shortfall, It's Nothing Short of a Blissful Match
Mangalore: Rich Tributes Paid to Pioneer Poet Louis Mascarenhas
Udupi: Ghastly Accident Claims Seven Lives at Hejmadi - Pics
Mangalore: Former Test Cricketer Syed Kirmani Speaks to Daijiworld
SSLC Results out - Udupi Stands Second in State
Mangalore: No Scope for Bribe in Bajpe Airport says Customs Commissioner
Mangalore: Shilpa Shetty Visits Kudroli Temple - Pics
Mangalore: Coast Guard Vessel MV Kasturba Gandhi Rescues 18 Fishermen
Mangalore: CM Arrives in City to Stay in Madarasa - Holds Press Meet
Udupi: Lakshman Shetty's Arrest - Padubidri Police Station Picketed - Pics
Gulf Dream Creamed to Pulp
Shattered dreams often lead to frustrated anger. Furious at the way they had been cheated by a hiring agent, a group of Gulf hopefuls ransacked the agent’s office. The agent had allegedly taken Rs 60,000 from each of them only to dupe them later.
It’s a mean world out there. Dreams of a lifetime shatter like brittle glass in a matter of seconds. The worse part, people like the hiring agent in this case don’t even bother that they are playing with not just the life of one individual but also his family. This is not an isolated case – agents such as these are in enough number, and most of the time they manage to escape easily with little or no punishment.
There’s a lesson for others in this – money corrupts the best of individuals and one should think many times before trusting such a huge amount of money in the hands of so-called agents. The authorities must take serious note of this incident, before many more lives are ruined; but of course that is only a faint hope.
Mangalore: Shattered Dreams of Foreign Jobs Blow up into Fury
Rape of Woman, Crime against Humanity
Crime reared its ugly head once again when a Dalit woman, a widow, was raped by a middle-aged man who fled the area soon after. The assault on womanhood occurred when she was on her way to woods to gather mangoes. Did someone say women are safe in our part of the world? Oh, the statistics may say so, but how many cases actually make their way in to the statistics sheets? Many a time the victim herself or her family members hesitate from approaching the authorities in fear of humiliation from villagers. Most of them choose to hush up the matter and sometimes the rapist either threatens the victim or bribes her family. At other times the rapist would be someone with high influence who manages escape spotlessly clean. The conviction rate in rape cases are low, especially when victims happen to be from backward classes. Who is to look in to these problems? The women’s rights organisations may be doing some good work, but womanhood is still in danger of being abused time and again.
Puttur: Middle-aged Man Rapes Dalit Widow at Keyyur
Rain Pain Again!
With monsoon showers making guest appearance several times already, the perils of heavy rains also made their presence felt in the city. One side of a hill behind Father Muller Hospital collapsed following heavy rains but fortunately no casualties occurred as it was lunch time for the labourers.
Was this a warning or a sign of things to come once the monsoons begin? Last year the prolonged showers that had lasted almost till November had wreaked havoc on life and property; hence, it would be wise to take precautions well before the rainy season begins in full fledge. To be forewarned is to be forearmed, and the authorities will do well to take measures to level lands and build bunds to prevent soil erosion and landslides. Already the minor bridge near Farangipet is hanging precariously waiting to collapse. Danger looms large, definitely.
Mangalore: Landslide behind Fr Muller Hospital - Pics
Trying Times for Undertrials
It was a protest from a unique bunch of people. If people from all organisations and professions can display their dissent on various (and sometimes silly) issues, then why not undertrials? The undertrials in the sub-jail here went on a hunger strike demanding that they be produced in court on time.
Undertrials are a neglected lot in our judicial system. Though a school of thought says that a person is innocent until proven guilty, the undertrials, whether actually guilty or not, are treated shabbily. They are kept in jail for days on end without being produced in court for some reason or the other. The police in charge is often not available as he would be busy running after VIPs which further adds to the undertrial’s sufferings. By making the innocent wait unnecessarily just because of some flimsy reason, the authorities are meting out injustice to them. The judicial system should be just outside the courtroom too.
Mangalore: Undertrials in Sub-jail Go on Hunger Strike
(F)rail Fight over Lingua Franca!
The news that had everyone debating was the alleged negligence of Kannada by the railway authorities. First the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike staged protest, and then the Kannada Development Authority chief Siddalingaiah made a visit to inspect the truth of the matter. Eventually he decried the use of Malayalam language in railways, and claimed the authorities had promised to adopt Kannada.
It is all very fine to fight for Kannada and demand its use in railways. It is even sane to say that Kannadigas who form a major chunk of the passengers find it difficult without Kannada signs to guide them. But the point we are missing here is that the Mangalore Railway Station comes under the Southern Railways, which is headquartered in Kerala. Accordingly, Malayalam is the official language to be used.
The Vedike and the KDA, instead of fighting for use of Kannada, should put pressure on the government to shift the station from Southern to an adjacent division which uses Kannada. It is amusing that the railway authorities should agree to the demands of the KDA chief so easily, without any directives from the railway ministry!
Mangalore: Malayalam Domination at Rly Station Decried
Mangalore: Vedike Demands Use of Kannada in Railway Station
Authorities Firing on all Cylinders!
A little over 10 days ago, the administration had issued strict rules concerning the utilization of LPG cylinders. No sooner was the move made, than it was broken by one Abdul Aziz who was looking to make a quick buck by illegally filling and selling LPG cylinders. When he was caught, it was together with 16 cylinders.
Selling LPG cylinders seems to be an easy way to make money. With most of the households vying for gas cylinders for cooking and the rule of suppliers being that 21 days should have lapsed from the date of last booking, many opt for purchase from unofficial sources, even though the rate may be higher. Like all other illegal activities, this is not an isolated case. It is time the police intensify the search and dig out more offenders.
It would also be commendable if the official suppliers are notified not to insist on 21-day lapse before another cylinder can be booked. This would probably stop consumers from taking recourse to illegal sources.
Mangalore: Illegal Filling of LPG Cylinders Traced - Accused at Large
Quenching news
Then there was this very cheerful news that we would have to go thirsty and dry this summer. The blessed MRPL officials took on themselves the task of fixing the numerous leaks (42 of them!) in the Thumbe vented dam and made sure the citizens did not suffer because of negligence of the MCC.
A stitch in time saves nine they say, but a fix in time is saving millions. The news came as a breather to thousands who had braced themselves to get used to scarcity of water. For long the Thumbe dam was reported to have had leaks but no one seemed to do anything about it. In fact, twice in the last few months, MCC’s negligence led to huge loss of precious water. MRPL showed proaction in volunteering to do the job, and hopefully no more leaks will bother the dam and the citizens.So what if we still sweat and pant without electricity to cool us down… we will at least have water to quench the thirst!
Bantwal: MRPL Fixes Thumbe Leaks, Dam Overflowing
The disguise act
The end of the week saw a sensational act by KMDC chief Anwar Manipady which helped a victim of corruption at the hands of clerks and GP official. Dressed as a poor Muslim, Manipady assisted the police in catching the culprit red-handed.Rarely do people in authority go to this extent to help anyone, especially if the victim happens to be from a poor background. It is an example for other officials to follow. The plan was well chalked out and neatly carried out. There are many more corrupt people, who cheat people, and they are in the garb of politicians, clerks and officials. Such kind of initiative is required to bring the offenders to book.
Righteous people in power should take the initiative to bring the misdeeds of their counterparts to public notice. This way even the public would be inspired to do the same. After all, corruption is a deadly disease that needs a concerted effort from one and all if it is to be eradicated.
Mangalore: Gram Panchayat Official Caught Taking Bribe
That was an eventful week complete with action and drama. Though protests formed the chunk of the headlines, several other happenings were equally interesting. See you next week with some more juicy events.
Until next week, it’s goodbye!
Anisa Fathima
Earlier Weeks:
Anisa Fathima - from 'Exclusive Archives'