by Anisa Fathima
Daijiworld,com, Mangalore
December 24, 2006
The week began with a protest against the government’s order to charge a nominal fee for all medical treatment at city’s Wenlock hospital. The protest was led by DYFI and All-India Janavadi Mahila Sanghatane.
The poor section of our society has been marginalized from several amenities that most others can easily access. Medical facility is one such where the financially backward people cannot afford to get treatment at private hospitals. Wenlock hospital had so far been a blessing to them, but if this hospital too imposes fee, they’ll have nowhere to go.
There are a few hospitals which offer free treatment for the poor, but most people are so used to Wenlock that they are unaware of these. Many have pointed that the move is a precursor to push forward privatization, but, to be fair to the government, more money would mean better means to improve infrastructure and offer more facilities, just like in private hospitals. Whatever be the reason for the move, people will not take it lying down.
MANGALORE: DYFI STAGES PROTEST IN FRONT OF WENLOCK HOSPITAL
Sunday December 17 was a special day for ace swimmer Gopal Kharvi as he set a new record of swimming 10 kilometres from St Mary’s Island to Malpe beach, with his hands and legs secured with a rope. This was just one of the several swimming feats by the pro.
People like Kharvi are rare achievers who usually go unnoticed by the larger sections of the public. Financial backing from administration and sponsors along with support from people and media attention can go a long way in helping the likes of Kharvi make a mark at a higher level.
Most achievers that we see at the international level have humble beginnings, but proper training, right guidance, strong financial backup and media attention give wings to their talent. Kharvi’s feat has the potential to be included in the Limca Book of India Records, but the details of the feat has to move through the right channels in order to reach the annuls of a book of records.
UDUPI: KHARVI SETS ANOTHER RECORD – SWIMS HANDCUFFED FOR TWO HOURS
Meanwhile, the administration has been going full-fledged with its malaria drive, scanning every nook and corner of the city and booking violators of malaria control norms. The week saw two establishments, including the canteen of the DC office being charged for violation.
The last few days have seen several young people getting afflicted with malaria and one girl dying of the disease. The city has always been a hub of malaria causing mosquitoes and every year the epidemic does its usual rounds of the city. Yet, despite several struggles, we have not learnt our lessons. We continue to let water stagnate, leave tanks open and ignore the dangers we are exposing ourselves to. It was only after the death of a girl and illness of several others that the MCC woke up.
But the pathetic part is the paltry fine – just Rs 50 and Rs 15 on successive days till the norms are met. With this kind of deterrent (?) punishment nobody would bother to adopt the norms and if the MCC wants to stop the menace, the fine should be increased and stringent action taken against violators.
MANGALORE: MCC’S DRIVE AGAINST MALARIA – FINE SLAPPED ON TWO VIOLATORS
The death of BJP leader Sukhanand Shetty had created quite a lot of violence and fear in the district and the police had been on the lookout for the culprits. Many were arrested, but when the prime accused was gunned down when he tried to escape, the incident rocked headlines across the region.
Since the death of Sukhanand Shetty, pressure had been created from all quarters to bring the culprits to book. When the accused was finally caught, the police shot him down as he tried to escape. The question now is, was it necessary to gun him down? He had not attacked the police; if the police had shot him on the leg it would have prevented him from escaping. Also, if he had been alive, it would have revealed many more skeletons in the cupboard.
Surely, it was not just one or two people responsible for Shetty’s murder – from the start it looked well-planned. Maybe the situation was such that the police had no option but to shot him down, but it cannot be denied that the death means the loss of a key link in the underworld nexus.
KUNDAPUR: PRIME ACCUSED IN SUKHANAND SHETTY MURDER GUNNED DOWN
A pleasant occasion for the citizens was a performance by the well-known music band of the Indian Navy, which performed in town hall as part of the visit of Indian naval ships to the New Mangalore port.
It was also a tribute to the esteem that the city is held with and the importance given to it at the national level. The naval authorities have promised that it would be an annual event now on.
Mangalore: Indian Navy's Band Performs in City
With rains aplenty this year, one would have thought the city would not have to face water shortage this summer. But lo, here’s the news of Thumbay dam, the only source of drinking water for five lac people developing cracks.
Shortage of drinking water is a problems faced by many parts of Mangalore every year, yet when monsoons begin, everyone forgets about the troubles. This apathy is evident in the fact that Thumbay dam has not been upgraded from the last 24 years, though the number of people using the water has increased from initial 2.75 lac to present 5 lac!
The officials say the crack was developed over the years, so why hasn’t the administration done something to maintain the dam? The crack means more unnecessary wastage of water due to leakage which in turn points at a dry summer this time too. The dam should be upgraded very soon, and in such a way that the city would not have to suffer despite witnessing such a bounteous monsoon.
MANGALORE: THUMBAY VENTED DAM DEVELOPS CRACKS
The month-long Karavali Utsav was inaugurated during the week. The launch was marked by a grand procession through the main thoroughfares of the city.
Multiple glimpses of art forms, culture and progress were depicted in the form of tableaux.
Mangalore: 'Janapada Siri' of Karavali Utsav Paints City Red
The last day of the week saw the sad injury to Chetan, the city's only horse, which reportedly would take a long time to heal.
It was heart-warming to see a band of public-spirited citizens to go to its rescue when no help was forthcoming from the authorities or its owners. Here's wishing it a speedy recovery.
Mangalore: City's Lone Horse Chetan Injured in Hit-and-run Accident
See you next week with some more happenings. Wish you a very happy Christmas!
Anisa Fathima
Earlier Weeks