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Hi! This is Sunil R. Gonsalves From Mangalore, your new reporter giving you the weekly update. This week onwards I will bring to you every news; imaginable and unimaginable, which takes place in this sleepy city. In addition I will give you a travel feature which throws some light on a tourist spot in Mangalore, a Manglorean recipe Section for those lip smacking Manglorean delicacies that you always wanted to cook, some special reports and of course a few interviews now and then. So here I go -
A week into the New Year, and in Mangalore this week these were the news that made the headlines:
New year ushered in with joy, hope and festivities:
The New Year 2001 was ushered in with great joy and festivities throughout the city. Sunday Night saw Mangalore, which usually is a sleepy city come to life at the strike of the clock at 12 midnight. Amidst the bursting of crackers and burning of the "Old year man", people wishing each other a happy and prosperous new year, dances and parties organized at different parts of the city the New year made people hope and pray feverishly that the communal harmony be maintained and improved.
Passing out parade of KSRP:
The progress of the nation and its development depends greatly on the contribution put in by the Police force in maintaining law and order, and specifically by the Karnataka State reserve police. This message was stressed upon by the DIG Western range Sri. Dharampal Negi at the passing out parade of 120 KSRP constables at Konaje this past week. The SP Sri Seemanth Kumar, Additional SP Sri Kishan Prasad, The commandant of the Home guards, Dr. Shivaprasad Rai and others graced this occasion.
Seminar on Brain & Language:
Dr. M.V. Shetty Institute of speech and hearing organized a seminar on Brain and Language on the 2nd of January in their college auditorium. It was Inaugurated by Dr. Habeeb Rehman, Director Unity health Complex and presided by Dr. M.R. Shetty, Secretary, Dr. MV Shetty Memorial trust and By Dr. Prathibha Karanth, Professor Speech Language pathology. Prof. Lorraine Obler, neurologist from The City University, New York delivered a lecture on Brain and Language. Dr. Aziz Assadi ENT, Mrs. Jayashree Bhat and Mrs. Jayanthimala Of the Institute for speech and hearing were also present.
Bridge Inaugurated:
The newly constructed bridge at Mel Koppala in Kulur was inaugurated by, General secretary AICC and Rajya Sabha Member Sri. Oscar Fernandes. On this occasion The MLA for Surathkal constituency Sri. Vijaya Kumar Shetty and The Local Citizens were present.
Seminar in The District Jail:
A seminar was organized in the district jail by the Kannada Culture & Information department of the Karnataka Government at the District jail this past Sunday. The Commisioner of The Mangalore Urban Development Authority Sri inaugurated the seminar with the Theme "towards New Horizons". N. S. Channapaa Gowda. Eminent psychiatrist Dr.S.Mahadanthappa, Lawyer Mr. Kallige Tharantha Shetty and Journalist Sri. Lolaksha delivered the keynote address to the inmates. The jail superintendent Mr. N Lingaraju, Officials of the Information department, Jail teacher Sri. Surendranatha Shetty and others were present.
New Year with The Forsaken:
The Dakshina Kannada Mahila Congress organized a Chirstmas cum Ramzan Cum New year Party at the Old age Home at Bajjodi. The DK Mahila Congress President, Mrs. Vijayalakshmi Shetty, inaugurated it.
Protest against the rise in Power Tariffs:
The Democratic youth federation of India organized a torch light procession to protest against the decision of the KPTCL to raise power tariffs in the state by 17-36 %. An effigy of the state government was burnt at the end of this procession. The decision of the state government to hike power tariffs for the second time in less than a year has come in for severe flak from people from all spheres of life. The DYFI District secretary Mr. Sunil Kumar Bajal, the Vice president Sri. Yadava Shetty and others were present.
Eyes Wide Shut?
Persons who design developmental works for the beautification of the city very often lack the foresight or skill to know in advance the hindrances or negative effects of these developmental works.
It is sad to note that even though several private and public sector enterprises are coming forward to contribute their mite to the beauty of the city more than often the city is not able to reap the benefits of their generosity. It is a usual phenomenon that even though someone undertakes these public utility works as a result of which the beauty of the city increases, certain halfhearted efforts of the city corporation make for a black spot in an otherwise illustrious report card.
An example for this lack of foresight is the newly installed road dividers from Town hall to AB Shetty circle in the heart of the city. Even though these road dividers have received a lot of praise from the road using public the system still is a hotch potch.
On returning from AB Shetty circle towards the Clock tower that is the main arterial road of the city one can see a huge gaping manhole inviting people into it and making them throw to the winds all the rules of safe driving. The result can be disastrous. One will either land into the manhole or collide into the road dividers. Same is the condition of the pedestrians who cross the road at this point
This apart, people rushing into the road at the designated Zebra crossing opposite the town hall without any indication is another hazard. It would have been in the better interest of the city that a traffic signal is installed at this point. Then traffic could be brought to a stop every 10 minutes to allow people to cross. Now because of the absence of the zebra crossing and the lack of control of the poor police constable who seems to have no control over the undisciplined pedestrians, motorists have to cross this stretch of road praying that no human would venture into his path when he zooms through the road.
We hope that the city corporation will awaken and set right this anomaly as soon as possible before the damage is done - to the road dividers or to some person's life!
Crime wave:
1. The excise Department under the leadership of the excise superintendent Sri. M. K. Somaiah, intercepted a truck carrying contraband liquor valued at Rs. 5½ lakhs near Farangipet in Bantwal Taluk. The said liquor was hidden in a truck laden with cement bricks. Two persons have been arrested in this regard.
2. Day light Burglary seems to be the new trend in Mangalore as burglars too find it comfortable to cuddle up at night cozily in their homes thanks to the pleasant nights. In the latest in this trend of burglaries the house of an eminent yakshagana exponent and lecturer of Besant College Mr. Prabhakar Joshi at Peaceland Apartments in the posh Kadri Kambla locality in Mangalore was burgled in broad daylight when there was no one in the house. Apart from cash, gold ornaments valued at Rs. 1,50,000 have been burgled. The dog squad, which was pressed into service, could not find any clues. What is more intriguing is that the gang seems to pick on houses carefully as if indicating that they are keeping a watch on their targets.
3. After The Murder of Rafiq an Auto - rickshaw driver on the 28th of December, The Outskirts of Mangalore Polali, Kaikamba, Bajpe etc.. Which were tense due to communal disturbances are finally returning to normal. In the meanwhile several persons have been arrested in this regard, but the main accused Ananthu is yet to be arrested.
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