These days we read court news almost every day from the Supreme Court to the lowest court which was very rare in the earlier days. Adjournments, bail, non - bail, warrants have all become common terms.

This takes my memory back to over 45 years ago when I was serving in South Canara District. In a strange manner, a case was filed in the local court by the DC in the capacity of the Chairman of Transport Authority against a Transport Operator. There is a long interesting story behind this case which the readers should know.

The then DC was H. L. Nage Gowda (now deceased — whose contribution in the promotion of folklore arts is well - known. His Janapada Loka near Ramanagar attracts a large number of visitors. He is an author of several books) and the Transport Operator was CPC run by Kudvas who were also well - known for publishing Navabharata daily morning newspaper which was popular throughout the district. One could see this paper in the hands of people early morning with a cup of tea (and a beedi among many commoners). I had to depend more on this daily to reach the people with the government programmes and publicity.

It is interesting how in this case I was cited as a witness from government side. Nage Gowda, the DC, being a known writer was asked to write an article for the State - level children's meet held in Mangalore then. He wrote a welcome poem in Kannada describing the salient features of the district and also about the people and their distinct culture, and welcoming the children to the meet.

I will come later as to how this poem also became a cause indirectly for this case in the court.

Mohammed Ali, who was then the Minister for Transport and Tourism paid a visit to the district. His programme included a visit to Maravanthe beach to promote it as a tourist spot. (It is, indeed, a beautiful spot "where the west coast highway sneaks its way along the coast on one side, and the picturesque Kodachadri Hills forming a backdrop to the Sauparnika River on the other. Maravanthe wears the look of a fairy land, especially at sunset, when the sky turns crimson and the golden rays of the sun are reflected in the sea as well as the river" — from the Tourist Folder of the Tourism Department). I suggest that it is a 'must' to home tourists as well outsiders.

I had to take the press party with the Minister. Kudvas were also interested in the project. I had invited V. S. Kudva, as Editor of Navabharata, to join the press party for the visit. But he welcomed his press colleagues to join him in his new luxury bus (as Transport Operator) which he wanted to run to Maravanthe to promote tourism as a package.

He also invited me to travel with them which I accepted. Besides, pressmen were also not too eager to travel a long distance in our department's old van.

After sometime, there was some hitch between the DC and Kudvas. The reason was the welcome poem Nage Gowda had written for the children's meet. There were some objections raised by a few people about the description of the bold qualities of the women of South Canara and certain other facts about it. But Navabharata published the poem in parts which would give a distorting meaning, otherwise with a full version would give the right meaning. It created a furore among people against the DC and it went upto a level asking the government by them to recall the DC from the district.

Naturally, the DC was not happy with Navabharata for publishing his poem in this distorted way. He wanted the newspaper to publish the full version of the poem which they never did. The DC was waiting, perhaps, to teach them a lesson. Kudvas were leading transporters as I had mentioned. The DC found out the new luxury bus in which the press party and myself traversed to Maravanthe and back was without a valid permit.

Somehow, this led to filing of a case by the Transport Authority against Kudvas in the local court. I was cited as a witness by the Authority since I had travelled in that bus.

This was an embarrassing situation for me to be a witness as I had to maintain good relations both with DC and the newspaper. And it never felt that I was committing any mistake by travelling in that bus.

Anyway, I received a summons from the court to appear on a certain day as a witness. Mangalore Harbour had just been completed and some foreign ships used to anchor there. A foreign ship anchored sent an invitation to the local press and also to me to visit the ship on the very day of the above case which I had to attend. I never wanted to miss the opportunity of visiting a ship as it was a rare experience.

Hence, I went to meet the judge before the commencement of the court requesting him to adjourn the case stating the reason [I knew the Government Pleader would not have agreed for an adjournment since the DC wanted an early disposal of the case]. The judge was from Mysore city. As soon he heard the words — “to visit a ship”, immediately he asked me whether he can also accompany me as it was his childhood desire to see a ship. With joy, I said why not? He immediately called the Shirastedar and told him that he was applying leave on some urgent private work and hence the court may be adjourned for the day.

I felt relieved. The judge was extremely happy and excited to visit the ship. The ship captain was glad to know he was a judge and showed us around the ship and entertained us to a lunch also.

The judge profusely thanked me for fulfilling his childhood desire of visiting a ship in such an unforgettable manner.

Later, I do not know how the case never came up for hearing. Perhaps some writers brought a compromise between the DC and Kudvas. Anyway, my embarrassment of being a witness in the case was avoided.

Spread good information: Pope Paul
It was a great event in the history of Mangalore when Pope Paul (the past Pope) visited the coastal town in Feb. 1986. I was the Divisional Information Officer in Mysore and was nominated as the Liaison Officer to take care of the large press contingent arriving in Mangalore to cover the Pope's visit.

There was tight security for the Pope. Revanna Siddaiah was the DIG. It was a great moment for me when the Pope shook my hands, though I had on many occasions shaken hands with the visiting dignitaries. When I was introduced as the Information Officer, he immediately said “Spread Good Information”.

I have preserved this photograph to cherish my memory with the Pope. He also blessed me with a rosary with Cross and Pope's insignia engraved.

K. Vijay Kumar,
Former Joint Director of Information and Publicity
E-mail: kumarkv59@gmail.com

Courtesy: Star of Mysore